A GRADUATE visited her sick grandma's hospital bedside wearing her cap and gown so she wouldn't miss the 'most important day of her life'.

Gaye Louise Soruri, 37, of Willow Street, Haslingden, visited Nellie Tuke at Queen's Park Hospital in ward B1 to share her success.

Gaye had received her first class honours degree in Community Studies from the Bolton Institute earlier that day. The family and Gaye's husband Joe Grcar are proud of the achievement because she has studied while looking after her three children, Adam, Samuel, and Dominic.

And Nellie didn't want to miss seeing Gaye in the cap and gown despite being in hospital for 13 weeks recovering from a stroke.

Gaye was given permission to take Nellie out of hospital yesterday for a meal and celebration at the Hapton Inn, Haslingden Road, Hapton. Nellie said: "I'm very proud of her her. I knew they said they were coming but didn't know if they would be able to make it.

"She looks wonderful, but she deserves it because she has worked so hard. She stayed up until four in the morning studying while looking after the kids."

Gaye said: "It was the most important day of my life and my Nan had to be there. It's been a lovely day and this tops it off."