A MUM and her daughter are celebrating after graduating from Accrington and Rossendale College's degree programme with BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies.

Ann Harris, of Bacup Road, Rawtenstall received a 2:1 and her daughter Lisa Evans, of North Road, Rossendale received a 2:2.

Ann, who had worked within the civil service for nearly 20 years before taking early retirement four years ago, said: "Lisa had already decided to take this course and I chose it because society and its complexities interested me.

"Taking the same course did help. We were able to exchange ideas, hold discussions, share books and experience the waiting game of assignment and exam results together.

"Our family has always experienced a close-knit relationship. Studying together meant that we were able to spend a little more time with each other and we grew even closer and developed our own friendship alongside that of our peers." She added: "Next term I will start a 12-month postgraduate course at Bolton Institute with the intention of lecturing in higher education -- so much for early retirement."

Lisa, a housewife and mum-of-two who works part-time as a care assistant in a nursing home, said: "Mum had persuaded me to go to college and continue on a degree course and we made a pact that I would do it if she did because I knew it was an ambition she had the opportunity to fulfil.

"It helped taking the same course as it saved on transport and was useful for revising. It also made us closer and we could discuss issues raised in class from an equal perspective and understanding."

Lisa said she will study for a diploma in social work in September at the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, with the intention of converting to a master after two years.

Mum Pat Kosyl, of Queens Road West, Accrington, and son Jonathan also graduated from Accrington and Rossendale College's higher education programme. Pat got a first class honours degree in Integrated Technologies while Jonathan got a 2:1 in media studies.