YEARS of hard work by students at Swindon College were marked at a graduation ceremony at the Wyvern Theatre .

A record 282 students graduated in a range of qualifications including BA (Hons) degrees, post graduate certificates, Higher National Diplomas and Higher National Certificates.

Guest speaker, Tony Higgins, the chief executive of UCAS, presented the awards to the many HNC, HND, degree and postgraduate students.

And for the first time seven New College students graduated at the Swindon College event so that they too could enjoy the full occasion.

More than 50 students graduated with HNCs and HNDs in business from the College's Business School, which has an increasingly strong reputation among local companies, including Motorola, Lucent Technologies, the Post Office, the RAF and Allied Dunbar as well as organisations such as Princess Margaret Hospital and Wiltshire police.

And there were many HND students who will go on to gain top-up degrees at local universities, including Oxford Brookes University, University of the West of England, Bristol, Cardiff Institute of Education and University College Northampton.

Business studies course leader Chris Kay said: "The high number of achievers we have recognised today and the opportunity their new qualifications give them shows that local students do have the opportunity to be based in Swindon and still do well.

The college's new principal, Mike Hopkins said: "Once again, an increased number of students are graduating with advanced qualifications. The development of our HE work continues to gather pace.

"Swindon College is proud to be able to trace its roots directly to the Mechanics' Institute. The College is aware of its heritage, traditions of development and innovation. It is this heritage which allows Swindon College to look forward to serving learners at all levels, including higher education.

"The achievements of those people graduating today gives us the inspiration and confidence which will allow for even greater success in the future," he added.