HUNDREDS of students had to trudge through the snow to collect their degrees as a university's winter graduations got under way.

Wintry weather mid-morning meant many Durham University students had to pace through falling snow as they processed across Palace Green from Durham Castle to the first Winter Congregation service of 2016, at Durham Cathedral.

University chancellor and opera star Sir Thomas Allen was on hand to present the certificates and some of the University's class of 1966 were invited back to celebrate 50 years since their graduation.

Three leading figures in their field are receiving honorary degrees during two days of ceremonies.

Tony Dore, who works in energy, is an honorary professor of petroleum geoscience at Durham and has played a key role in the development of the University's earth sciences work, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of science.

Baroness Sheila Hollins, a former GP and consultant psychiatrist, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of letters.

Carl Hunter, chief executive of Coltraco Ultrasonics, has been awarded an honorary doctorate of science.