MORE than 50 students from University Campus Suffolk Great Yarmouth will wear caps and gowns to bring pomp and ceremony to town next week at their graduation ceremony.

MORE than 50 students from University Campus Suffolk Great Yarmouth will wear caps and gowns to bring pomp and ceremony to town next week at their graduation ceremony.

The students will receive their qualifications at St Nicholas Church next Friday watched by family and friends after an academic and civic procession to the church from the Fishermen's Hospital on Market Square.

They have all studied at the Great Yarmouth centre, at the site of Great Yarmouth College on Suffolk Road, Southtown.

Their degrees, foundation degrees, diplomas, professional qualifications, certificates in teaching and postgraduate teaching qualifications will be conferred by Professor Andy Downton, Pro.-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Essex.

Subjects include fashion and textiles, photographic and digital media, counselling, professional studies, computing, childhood and youth studies, health and social care.

More than 200 students are currently studying on higher education programmes at UCS Great Yarmouth and are among the growing number of students opting to study higher education courses close to home to avoid living away facing mounting student debts.

Some of Friday's graduates are full-time students - many mature students - who chose to study from the growing portfolio of higher education courses on their doorstep because of family, part-time work and social commitments.

Others combined higher-level part-time study with their careers.

Special awards will be made to Higher Education Students of the Year.

Guest of honour, Yarmouth Mayor Tony Smith will speak to the congregation.

College floristry students, led by tutors Helen David and Gloria Goodley, will decorate the church.

The church will be open for the floral displays to be viewed the following day.