Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the success of dozens of students who collected their awards at the College of West Anglia's fifth annual graduation ceremony.

Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the success of dozens of students who collected their awards at the College of West Anglia's fifth annual graduation ceremony.

The event on Saturday was dubbed the biggest yet by the college, as scores of hard-working students received BA, HNC, HND and PGCE qualifications in subjects such as fine art, civil engineering, information technology as well as certificates in further education teaching and diplomas in management studies.

The special day began with a 100-strong procession of dignitaries through the town centre and on to St Nicholas' Chapel.

During the graduation service, speeches were made by a host of guests including the mayor of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Ann Clery-Fox and college principal Peter Stewart and Steven Bennett from Anglia Ruskin University.

Lynne Mower was presented with the APU student of the year award while Dionne Coburn was presented with the best dissertation award.

Mr Stewart was also awarded with an Honouree Fellowship of the Anglia Ruskin University.

The award was in recognition of his significant contribution to the success of the University Regional Partnership between the College of West Anglia and the Anglia Ruskin University.

Following the ceremony, staff and graduates celebrated their success at a black tie graduation ball at the Corn Exchange.

The success of the graduates comes at a time when the college is facing great change as it moves into a new era following the successful merger with the Isle College of Wisbech.

The new college is now set to benefit from a £95m project, which will improve higher and further education across west Norfolk and the fens.

It will include the building of state-of the art educational facilities with a new college at Lynn and another in March.