TWIN sisters Nichola and Joanna Hornsby graduated from their degree courses at the same ceremony this week.

The 26-year-olds collected diplomas at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Tuesday for the different subjects they studied at the University of Teesside. Nichola received a BSc (Hons) degree in nursing and Joanna a BSc (Hons) degree in occupational therapy.

Joanna, from Lazenby, and Nichola, from Coulby Newham, work at The James Cook University Hospital. Joanna said: "At 19 I went to study for my first degree and Nichola aimed for nursing. But here we are graduating on the same day and working near to each other in the hospital."

Nichola first graduated from the university three years ago with an advanced diploma in nursing.