Staff from the University of Chester paraded through the city as part of the institution’s 175th anniversary celebrations.

Time-honoured traditions were observed before the second ceremony of the spring graduation took place in Chester Cathedral in the afternoon.

The university’s staff, dressed in full graduation regalia, joined vice-chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler, High Sheriff of Cheshire Susan Sellers, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Chester Bob and Sandra Rudd, Bishop of Chester Rt Rev Dr Peter Forster, Dean of Chester Prof Gordon McPhate, university council members and guests in the parade which started outside Chester Guildhall and made its way up Watergate Street towards The Cross.

Town Crier David Mitchell proclaimed proceedings which included Steve Bird, the university’s Esquire Bedell, challenging by the Lord Mayor’s mace and sword bearers.

Adrian Lee, the university secretary, then presented a scroll as proof of the university’s having been awarded the Freedom of the City granting them safe passage, which was accepted by the Lord Mayor of Chester.

The procession then continued along Eastgate Street before turning left into St Werburgh’s Street and concluding at the West Door of the Cathedral.

A trumpet fanfare heralded its arrival and the commencement of the afternoon graduation ceremony.

The University of Chester was founded in 1839 by such pioElleneers as the great 19th century prime ministers, William Gladstone and the Earl of Derby and a former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev and Rt Hon John Bird Sumner.

About 450 students across two ceremonies received their degrees from the institution’s chancellor the Duke of Westminster and vice-chancellor Professor Tim Wheeler.

Professor Wheeler said: “Graduation is a proud day for our students, their families and their friends. It’s a chance to celebrate all that they have achieved in their university career through hard work and determination and to look back at the years they have spent with the University of Chester. This is a particularly special year for the institution as we celebrate 175 years of teaching excellence.”

Joining the students on the day were three honorary graduands, who received degrees in relation to their exceptional impact on a specific field:

Robert Mee FCIBS DL received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration in recognition for his outstanding contribution to business in the region and in particular recognition of his role of chair of Ellesmere Port Development Board.

The former Queen’s School pupil, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull, received an honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of her outstanding contribution to ministry in this country, in particular in recognition of her roles as Dean of Leicester and Dean of York.

The Singh twins, Amrit and Rabindra, received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts in recognition of their outstanding contribution to British art.