More than 45 of Keele's first ever graduates returned to campus for a reunion to mark the 75th anniversary of the University.

Some travelled more than 3,000 miles to be at the event, with others making shorter journeys from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe.

The group, affectionately referred to by Keele as its 'pioneers', were the first generation of students to learn at the University, which was established as the University College of North Staffordshire in 1949. The 'pioneers' graduated between 1954 and 1961 and are recognised for playing a pivotal role in establishing the University.

Among those at the event held in Keele Hall were John and Patricia Fletcher, who met at Keele in 1957 and have been married for 65 years.

John, a retired plant pathologist who is believed to be the University’s first biology PhD student, said: "We got talking to one another in a biology laboratory on campus one Sunday and two years later, we were married. Our son, Robert, also studied at Keele, so the University has been part of our lives for a long time. There was a great spirit when we studied here and it's fantastic to be back and see how much the campus has changed."

Karin Tetlow, aged 88, travelled to the event from Philadelphia. After graduating in 1958, she moved to the United States where she worked as a journalist for Fortune Magazine and has lived in the country ever since.

She said: "I came to Keele from Dorset, so that was quite an eye opener in itself because I had never been this far north before. We were taken on a trip to a coal mine and to the Potteries, and I bought some Wedgwood seconds. One of the biggest things I remember about Keele is the aura of independence. A fellow student asked if they could head into Newcastle-under-Lyme, and they couldn’t believe it when they were told it was up to them how they managed their time because they’d never had that before."

The 'pioneers' and their guests enjoyed a three-course lunch and coffee with Keele's Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, and were able to look back at archive materials from their time at the University. They also received a 75th Anniversary Pin Badge and Keele Moorland Mug.

Around 400 former students were invited to the reunion, with many of those that were unable to attend sending in messages which were displayed at the event for others to read.

Chancellor James Timpson OBE said: "The graduates who chose to study here in the early years were truly pioneering of spirit and helped create a campus we are still very proud of today as we strive to continue building an institution that epitomises the Keele ethos of 'education for all'.

"The reunion was a fantastic celebration of the remarkable journeys and accomplishments of our alumni and our institution."