IT was hats off to hundreds of students who graduated from the University of Bolton yesterday.

Pomp and ceremony were to the fore at the Victoria Hall in Bolton as more than 650 students had their degrees conferred in front of proud family and friends.

Among them were Boltonians, High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Edith Conn, and his Honour Judge William Morris, the Recorder of Bolton, who received honorary doctorates.

Mrs Conn, who received a Doctor of the University for her contribution to the community through her work with the Red Cross, said: “This is a great honour. I was shocked to be asked and am overwhelmed.

“It is very special to be recognised by your local university and from a university I have a lot of admiration for.”

Judge Morris, who is based at Bolton Crown Court, received a Doctor of Laws, said: “This is a colossal honour. I am a local lad and this is very special to me.

“This is now my university because I am Boltonian.”

Others who were honoured for their work were Professor James Calderwood from the University of Bolton, and Olympic swimmer Keri-Anne Payne who won silver in the 10,000 metres open water race in Beijing.

She received an honorary masters degree. The degree ceremony was the university’s second of 2008, bringing the number of students who have graduated this year to 3,100.

They included Ruth Rollings, aged 44, from Bradshaw, who received a degree in leading and management in health and social care. She said: “This is very special for me. I left school at 16 and graduating now is so exciting.

“It was nerve-wracking coming back into education, but I have enjoyed it very much. It has been hard work but worth it and will fit in with my job in the National Health Service.”

Miren Vadera, aged 23, from Bolton, received a distinction in his Masters in Business Administration.

He said: “I’m over the moon. I feel now I can achieve my ambitions because of the skills I have developed through attending this university.”

Vice-chancellor Dr George Holmes praised the students.

He said: “It is time to celebrate the successes of the most important people at the university and the best-ever year for the university. I am delighted with the number of dignitaries at the ceremony to join in the celebrations, including MPs and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Warren Smith. It shows this university is well established and supported.”