Graduates Nicola and Sebastian Wright made it a family affair as they celebrated getting their degrees at a ceremony in Brighton.

The brother and sister were among 1,600 students from the University of Sussex attending the graduation ceremony at the Brighton Centre.

Marian Blakely, from Bexhill, and her daughter, Kate Blakely, from Brighton, also had cause for double jubilation when both graduated at the same time. Marian achieved a degree in American studies and Kate gained a law degree.

Marian said: "I am just so excited. We both have a tremendous sense of achievement. We didn't see that much of each other on campus. Kate did a lot more partying than me!"

Composer Professor Jonathan Harvey, who lives in Lewes, environmental campaigner Jonathon Porritt, Professor John Ball and Gail Rebuck, a former Sussex student and now chairman and chief executive of the Random House publishing company, all received honorary degrees today.

Ms Rebuck said the occasion was a novel experience for her.

She said: "I didn't go to my own graduation in 1974. It just wasn't the thing you did in those days."

Ms Rebuck said the University of Sussex had helped to shape her future success.

She said: "I run a creative company and I found the Sussex system encouraged creativity."

Prof Harvey, who taught at Sussex for 18 years, was equally enthusiastic.

He said: "I came here from Southampton University and it was a liberation for me. Southampton was quite strict in its approach to music teaching. Here I was able to meet students from other disciplines and hear other ideas."

University chancellor Sir Richard Attenborough and Brighton and Hove mayor Andy Durr welcomed graduates to the ceremony.