PROUD families packed into the Cliffs Pavilion as 270 students collected their degree certificates at South East Essex College’s annual graduation ceremony.

Trumpeter Digby Fairweather was welcomed as the guest of honour as students celebrated the end of their courses after years of hard work.

Certificates were handed out for degrees in a variety of subjects, including early years education, sports studies, television production and journalism.

More than a dozen students came out with top degrees and many more received special awards for their achievements.

For many, it was the end of years of hard work and the beginning of a bright future.

Some students had started their degree straight from a further education course while others had returned to education after years in employment.

Single mum Zoe Larman was one of 270 graduates.

Zoe, 31, of Queen Elizabeth Chase, Rochford, completed a degree in early years education. She said: “It has been a long time coming. It has been hard work because I am a single mum.

“It has led me into a new job as manager of a children’s centre which is the ideal job for me, I love it.

“It was difficult being a mum and studying, but the facilities here are brilliant. They have a nursery so I could take my little boy Connor with me and know he is only a few metres away.

“I have done an access course so it has been four years to get here.

“The course really helped point me in the right direction as we had to do placements.

“One of the placements was at the children’s centre which I now work at.”

Principal and chief executive of the college, Jan Hodges, said she was extremely pleased with the results.

She said: “Thirteen students received a first class in their degree and I think that shows the high standards being achieved by the students.

“The whole graduation event is really exciting. From year to year the results have been going from strength to strength.

“I wish them all the best of luck for their future success.

“There is a lot of pride in the college.”

FULL REPORT, PICTURES AND LIST OF GRADUATES IN TUESDAY'S ECHO