A higher education celebration of excellence was staged by the college to honour 42 students who attained degrees and diplomas.

The celebrations began as students in gowns, flanked by college cadets, walked from Stamford Town Hall to All Saints Church to receive their certificates. Proud families and friends stood outside as they made their way in.

Choir music piped out of the church before awards were handed out and then the students filed out past a parted group of cadets flying two flags. The crowd reconvened at Stamford Arts Centre for refreshments before outspoken TV personality Ruby Wax arrived to give a speech.

Delighted student John Morais (22), of Linnet Court, Stamford, got BA honours in graphic design. He said: "It's a great day and I'll definitely be celebrating."

Sam Griffiths (23), of Truesdale Gardens, Langtoft, near Bourne, received BA honours in the same subject. She said: "I'm really happy, I didn't expect to do so well. It's been a great ceremony."

Graphic design course leader Matt Shough said he was proud of his students' efforts. He added: "It's really moving seeing them get their degrees after three years of work."

For mum Sandra Johnson (53), of Back Lane, Collyweston, it was a special day as her son Steven Woodman (23), collected his degree for graphic design.

She said: "It's wonderful and I'm delighted for him. I'm taking photographs to show his grandmother."

List of graduates
Daniel Fappiano BA (Hons) graphic design; Mark Griffin BA (Hons) graphic design; Samantha Griffiths BA (Hons) graphic design; Natasha Howells BA (Hons) graphic design; Tony Hunt BA (Hons) graphic design; Daniel Jarman BA (Hons) graphic design; Chris Lacey BA (Hons) graphic design; Dominique Maynard BA (Hons) graphic design; John Morais BA (Hons) graphic design; Sophie Shepherd BA (Hons) graphic design; Leigh Tilbrook BA (Hons) graphic design; Charlotte Whitaker BA (Hons) graphic design; Steven Woodman BA (Hons) graphic design; Luke Bunting BA (Hons) graphic design; Hayley Clifton BA (Hons) graphic design; Leanne Titman HNC business studies; Sadie Patel HNC business studies; Karen Warren HNC business studies; Tanya Hodgson HNC business studies; Kimberley Harvey HNC business studies; Mickaela Key HNC business studies; Cheryl Rose HNC business studies; Lesley Searle HNC business studies; Yvonne Sanders BA (Hons) fine art; Kathryn Campion BA (Hons) fine art; Janet Finden BA (Hons) fine art; Lisa Berry BA fine art; Luke Foster Dip HE web technology; Andrew Harvey Dip HE web technology; John Morgan Dip HE web technology; Andrew Williams Dip HE web technology; Dawn Correia post graduate cert in education; Rachel Francis post graduate cert in education; Paula Lees certificate of education; Robert Lyman post graduate cert in education; Katie McLaughlin post graduate cert in education; Gerald Reilly certificate of education; Sally Sutcliffe certificate of education; Steven Nolan certificate of education; Carol Page certificate of education; Dan Perrin certificate of education; Michael Morris post graduate certificate in education.