THE sun shone on cheery crowds outside the University of Bolton's Chancellor's Mall on Thursday afternoon.

Hundreds of excited graduates milled around the grass donned in gowns and hats while families and friends took photographs and shared a glass of bubbly.

It was the big moment for students being honoured for achieving degrees and qualifications in the School of Health and Human Sciences.

For sisters Maria Mahachi and Hillaria Mchaneta-Gwenzi it was an extra special moment to share together.

The pair both signed up for and studied together for a BTEC Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Maria, a mum-of-three from Bolton, was working as a support worker for people with disabilities when her sister convinced her to sign up for the course and is now planning to take her studies even further.

The 54-year-old said: "We used to see people going to Victoria Hall to graduate and started to think how nice it would be, but told myself I was too old.

"My sister encouraged me and said 'you're not old, you're still young!' She really, really gave me the push!"

Mum-of-two Hillaria, aged 39, from Wigan, added: "We both had a thirst for education and want to learn more.

"Today is wonderful and fantastic, the hard work has happened and we are celebrating now."

Also from Wigan was 22-year-old Melissa Heaton who was receiving her 2.1 in Health and Social Care.

She added: "I've really enjoyed my time here and made some really good friends. I'm definitely glad to get to this day, it made all the hard work worthwhile.

"Not sure what my next step will be, but I think I'll come back to university in Bolton."

For Anthony Blanchard it seemed like his graduation day may never happen.

The 42-year-old from Beswick overcame some great odds, including balancing studies while working, to walk away with a First Class honours degree in Health and Social Care.

"I didn't do anything after college, I kept failing and I didn't understand why," he explained.

"When I applied for university I did a Level Two course in English and they picked up something wasn't right. They found I had dyslexia and dyspraxia. I'm also deaf in my right ear.

"Now I know why I make all these mistakes but the university's support has been absolutely brilliant.

"I've gone through a lot and it all makes sense now. To walk away with a First is a double achievement!"

Joining the students at yesterday afternoon's ceremony was the University of Bolton's chosen honourary graduate.

Receiving an honorary doctorate of divinity for an outstanding contribution to higher education was Professor David Ford OBE.

Academic and public theologian, Professor Ford is a Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and founder of the Cambridge Inter-Faith Programme.

Often lecturing in Christian-Muslim relations, he praised the diversity of university and graduates, as well as the town with which he shares family ties.

He said: "It's absolutely wonderful to be here. My grandmother was born in Bolton, she later emigrated to Ireland with my grandfather who was from Yorkshire.

"I have never had an occasion to come here before, so I'm glad to have been invited to come here today.

"I'm particularly glad to to be receiving a degree from a thriving, modern university and for a subject which is not actually taught here!

"There are a lot of Muslim students who attend here and that brings a religious dimension through the diversity of the students.

"It has also been lovely speaking to some of the senior figures here and just got a sense of a really flourishing university."