Some 300 students from the newly-established University of Cumbria have now received their degrees.

The £145 million institution was created when St Martin's College merged with Cumbria Institute of the Arts, as well as two University of Central Lancashire sites, last year.

More than 15,000 students attend existing campuses in Carlisle, Lancaster, Penrith, Ambleside, Whitehaven and Barrow.

The university has close working partnerships with four further education colleges in Cumbria and it is also the lead institution in the Cumbria higher learning distribution network.

Chris Carr, pro vice chancellor, told the BBC: "It has been a good first year although it has been hard work.

"The students were enrolled on other programmes before the university came into being so their accreditation will be from the Universities of Cumbria and Lancashire."

James Purnell, who was media and sport secretary at the time, officially opened the University of Cumbria on August 1st 2007.