STUDENTS graduated from Wiltshire College at a ceremony held in the cathedral on Friday.

The 124 students from the college's four campuses had completed courses including Honours Degrees, HNDs, NVQs and Postgraduate Certificates in Education.

Their degree subjects ranged from fashion, photography and fine art, to social work, engineering, accounting and business.

A special award was presented to Sara Mansson who received the Outstanding Partner College Student Award from Bournemouth University, for gaining a first class (honours) degree in fashion and textiles.

More than 20 students from the Royal Navy graduated with management NVQs achieved through distance learning. Many study while based with the Royal Navy in Plymouth, Portsmouth and serving on HM ships across the world. Commodore Campbell Christie, director of training and education for the Royal Navy, also attended the ceremony.

Stephen Stone, chair of the Board of Corporation for Wiltshire College, opened proceedings and the guest speaker was Dr Faith Butt, director of lifelong learning, from the University of Bath.

The ceremony was also attended by deputy mayor of Salisbury councillor John Abbott, Leader of Wiltshire Council Jane Scott, professors and lecturers from Bournemouth, Bath and Greenwich universities and a number of Wiltshire College governors, principals and senior staff as well as students' families.

Di Dale, Wiltshire College principal said: "Our graduates can feel justifiably proud of their achievements. They have all worked hard to achieve their awards and many have succeeded in maintaining a balance between home commitments, jobs and study. I hope that, whatever challenges individuals have faced, that they feel that all their efforts have been worthwhile."