Of the 4,610 degrees awarded, many were to local residents.

Christopher Ecob from Morecambe, was among them.

Christopher, 21, graduated from Grizedale College with a first class honours degree in mathematics.

His mum Sharon Ecob said that she and the whole family were very proud of him. He's now looking for a job which will keep him in the area.

And Bette Nichol, 59, who works as a college administrator on the campus, studied part-time to achieve her foundation degree in "Working with Young People and

Young People's Services" .

She said: "I have suffered two bereavements of close family members so it has been tough.

"The reason why I studied for the degree was firstly because I thought it would help me to do a better job which it really has and secondly because it meant that I could empathise with our students.

Other more famous faces who were on campus to pick up honorary degrees were actress Jane Horrocks and fashion designers Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, all from Lancashire.

Chancellor Sir Chris Bonington also presented honorary degrees to eminent scientists Dame Carol Black and Professor Noreen Murray and Professor Sir Christopher Frayling of the Royal College of Art.