At the age of 77, Edith Carvill has fulfilled her life-long dream of graduating with a university degree.

Miss Carvill graduated from the University of Sunderland's School of Arts, Design and Media with a BA (Hons) in Performance Arts.

Although the Second World War interrupted Miss Carvill's education, and by the time it ended, she felt it was time for her to enter the world of work, she was determined to achieve her dream.

Three years ago, at the age of 74, she enrolled at the school, having passed an access course.

Miss Carvill, from Sunderland, is no stranger to acting having been in the spotlight throughout most of her life, performing in countless plays and pantomimes all over the region, including Sunderland's Empire Theatre.

But, despite her wealth of acting and production experience it was a proud and appropriate day when she stepped on stage once again at the Empire Theatre to collect her degree.

Miss Carvill said: "I had always dreamed of getting a degree - it has taken longer than I thought, but I have finally managed it."

And it seems her thirst for learning has not been quenched quite yet. She is now considering taking an MA in English Literature.

She said: "I've done a lot of swotting and I like the sound of English literature. I would be doing Shelley, Keats, Wordsworth, Byron, and poets that I've never heard of, which would be nice."

Miss Cavill has written her own play Cuthbert, Child of God, about Saint Cuthbert that was performed in Chester-le-Street by the parishioners of the local church.