A mother and daughter had double celebration after BOTH graduated with 'Masters' degrees from the SAME university on the SAME day.

Sarah Webber, 52, was thrilled to don a cap and gown to graduate with an MA in Education Leadership and Management from Keele University in Staffordshire.

But also on the same day, 22nd January, daughter Alys, 24, received her MSc in Technical Leadership in Analytical Science, also from Keele University.

The mother and daughter said was brilliant for their family as they could celebrate both achieving their Masters degrees together.

Sarah, of Catterick, North Yorkshire, explained: "When we found out we were due to graduate on the same day, it was a special moment.

"It meant we were both able to enjoy our graduation but also sit in the audience for each other's ceremony.

"We've told a lot of our friends and family about it, and they all think it's really cool. It's something we can share together and look back on fondly for a long time."

Despite Sarah completing her course online and Alys studying at Keele, the pair were able to support one another throughout their studies.

Sarah moved back to the UK from Bermuda last year, where she had been working as a primary school teacher at a private school.

Alongside completing her degree, she is also a full-time carer for her son and is currently writing her first book.

Sarah added: "I've really enjoyed studying for my degree. I feel like it's got my mind going again and has helped rediscover my love for writing.

"All of my learning was done online but there were people from all over the world on the course and it was very interesting hearing their perspectives and views.

"And even though I was distance learning, Alys bought me a Keele sweater for Christmas, so I felt like I was really part of the University at that point."

Alys, who grew up in Bermuda and now lives in Newcastle-under-Lyme, also completed her undergraduate degree in Forensic Science and Criminology at Keele before starting her Masters.

She is now hoping to join a detective constable entry programme at Cheshire Constabulary.

She said: "One of my friends at Keele was studying the same course as my mum and they started texting each other about course work, which felt a little weird but cool at the same time.

"Even though mum and I were studying different courses we could still speak to each other about coursework and deadlines, and I helped my mum with things like how to reference in essays when she first started.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Keele. I grew up in Bermuda which is a small place and Keele's campus-based university was perfect for me.

"I've been an active part of the student life working in the Students' Union as a Network Administrator, a committee member for the Keele Drama Society, and I've been a Societies Executive and made lots of friends.

"It's just such a welcoming environment and I'll miss sitting outside Keele Hall in the sun."