NURSERY pupils in Horwich are having an early taste of academic success after graduating with top honours.

To mark the end of their pre-school years staff at Horwich Parish Playcare in Church Street laid on a proper degree ceremony, complete with mortar boards and scrolls for 30 four-year-olds.

The playcare scheme has been looking after the children for two years and staff decided to make their last day extra special.

The celebrations started in the morning with a bouncy castle and party then in the afternoon parents were invited to watch their children dress up to collect their certificates from play co-ordinator Dorothy Bromley.

"They took it seriously. They were all proud when they walked up," said Mrs Bromley. "There was also a few tears."

It is the second year that the nursery has run the graduation ceremony and it is so popular that it is to become an annual event.