A mother and daughter who have both battled dyslexia will be donning their cap and gowns next week when they graduate together.

Sarah Williams and her daughter Ashleigh, from Malvern, will both be receiving their BA Honours degrees in contemporary applied arts from Hereford College of Art and Design.

Mum Sarah, who left school without any qualifications, said she had taken courses at Malvern Hills College and staff there had “inspired and supported her”, giving her the self-belief to go on and study for a degree.

Her daughter, who had dyslexia diagnosed while at school, studied in the Sixth Form at Hanley Castle High School before going on to take her art degree in Hereford.

“I was so proud of her and what she’d achieved at school despite being dyslexic, I thought if she can do it may be I can,” said Sarah.

Sarah is thrilled that she and Ashleigh will graduate together on the same day with the same degree.

They are planning a celebration party with family and friends after the ceremony.

“When we got our results we were both so pleased.

“We get on well and we’ve encouraged each other,” she added.

Sarah said it had been hard work but worth it and she would love one day to go back to Hereford Art College and study for an MA.

Her final end of year show for her degree focused on children’s drawings and writing and was about overcoming dyslexia.

Sarah, who has three other children, said that she could not have done it without the support of her husband and family.