One of the Tremough campus buildings has been officially named after Cornish author Daphne du Maurier in a ceremony attended by her children.

The building is part of the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus and was developed as part of the first phase of development. It houses the library as well as Camborne School of Mines and the centre for ecology and conservation.

The new name was suggested by University of Exeter academics, to reflect the local and international ambitions of the university in Cornwall, and has been approved by the Du Maurier family, who joined university staff and other invited guests at the official naming ceremony and reception.

Prior to the official ribbon-cutting ceremony - which was carried out by Daphne du Maurier's daughter Lady Tessa Montgomery and son Kits Browning - a lecture entitled "Daphne du Maurier and Cornish Treasures" was presented to assembled guests by Professor Helen Taylor, of the University of Exeter's department of English.

The vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Steve Smith, then presided over the short naming ceremony and guests enjoyed champagne in the newly named building.

Professor Matthew Evans, provost of the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus said: "We wanted a name that would capture our firm commitment to Cornwall while also reflecting the international reach and ambitions of our research and teaching. We feel that no name captures this more perfectly than Daphne du Maurier' and are delighted that the du Maurier family has allowed us to adopt it for our Cornwall Campus."

Kits Browning son of Dame Daphne du Maurier, said the family were "proud and honoured" that the university should call the building after their mother.

"She was very much in favour of higher education and would have been delighted and flattered by Exeter's decision. It is a very fitting tribute to her memory," he added.