ABOUT 400 graduates received their degrees, diplomas and certificates on Teesside yesterday.

But for Dr Phil Willers and his wife, Hilary, it was a family affair. The couple who met while students at the Constantine College, now the University of Teesside, were there to watch their son, Martin, graduate.

He received a Bachelor of Science (hons) degree in multi-media studies from the Middlesbrough campus where his parents met and where his father, now aged 55, is a computer scientist and a director of one of the higher national diplomas.

More than 2,000 graduates are to receive their awards in nine similar ceremonies from Professor Derek Fraser, University vice-chancellor, who retires in March.