2 September 2012 Last updated at 08:17 ET

Teachers receive honorary degree from the University of Worcester

Hundreds of ex-students including some who finished studying six decades ago have received an honorary degree.

The University of Worcester invited people who earned an award leading to qualified teacher status up to 1977 to receive an honorary bachelor degree on Saturday at the city's cathedral.

Those who studied at Worcester until 1977 gained a certificate in education, which qualified them as a teacher.

It was not until after that time that the qualification became a full degree.

Almost 800 attended the special ceremony at Worcester Cathedral.

Former students received the honorary award in recognition of their contribution to education.

The university was founded as an emergency teacher training college in 1946.