Norwich cathedral was the setting for City College Norwich's annual graduation ceremony, celebrating the achievements of 746 higher education students.

Four hundred graduates attended the ceremony today to receive their awards, which were presented by musician Rick Wakeman and Giles Cuthbert, managing director, Chartered Banker Institute.

This year saw the highest ever number of undergraduate and foundation degrees achieved by college students.

A total of 150 honours degree graduates achieved first class honours or an upper second (2:1) degree, and 109 foundation degree graduates achieved a distinction or merit for their award.

The graduation ceremony, now in its 19th year at the cathedral, saw higher level qualifications awarded to students who had completed a wide range of vocational, academic and professional courses at the college. These include masters degrees, honours degrees and foundation degrees, as well as qualifications from professional bodies.

Tania Colley, 45, from Sprowston, picked up her diploma in teaching in the lifelong learning sector, and was then presented with the college's higher education student of the year award for her tenacity and determination to complete her course in spite of a serious illness.

Rick Wakeman, who was a member of the rock group Yes and lives near Diss, was introduced as a 'superstar' before he spoke about his days at college.

He said he could not believe how much colleges had changed since his days at the Royal College of Music in the 1960s.

He said: 'Everything is now tailored around the student, and what they want to do.

'In my day there were just two courses - you either became a teacher or a performer.'

He said he was also impressed by the number of students from different age groups.

'When I did it you just had one crack at it, so it's wonderful that whatever your age, you can follow your dreams at the college.'

For more on this story, see Monday's Eastern Daily Press and Evening News.