Students and their parents beamed with pride as they filled St Mary's Church last week for the University of Bedfordshire's graduation ceremonies.

The postgraduate students were presented with their degree certificates in ceremonies on Thursday and Friday by the university's vice chancellor Les Ebdon.

Both the students and their tutors were decked out in traditional dress for the ceremony, and afterwards posed outside for pictures with friends and families.

Mingled in with the crowds were members of the Luton community who were being awarded honorary degrees in recognition of their contribution to various fields.

Dame Yasmin Bevan, headteacher at Denbigh High School, became an Honorary Doctor of Education, for turning the school into what Professor Ebdon called a "first class institution".

An honorary Master of Arts degree was awarded to Rana Majeed, director general of the Pakistani Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), for his support to the university in developing links with Pakistan.

And a long service award went to the owner of Pakistan-based Falcon Education and Consultancy Services, Syed Abidi, who has helped place hundreds of students on courses at the university.

See this week's Luton News for picture special on the event - out on Wednesday, priced 40p.