TWO Helensburgh neighbours are celebrating after going all the way through school and university together - and graduating with the same degree.

TWO Helensburgh neighbours who went through their schooling together are now celebrating completing earning the same degree.

Daniel Egan, 21, who lived at 64 John Street, first met April McBride, 22, when she moved into number 66 of the same street in 2000.

The pair quickly became friends, playing over the fences between their gardens.

The duo were pictured in their uniforms just before leaving John Street for on their first day of primary school as their parents watched on.

April headed for Hermitage Primary and Daniel went to St Joseph’s Primary.

Having been friends through seven years of primary education, the pair were once again photographed before their first day at Hermitage Academy.

Daniel and April, who had the same circle of friends at school, were placed at Rhu Primary School in their S4 for work experience because they both wanted to get into teaching.

The experience reaffirmed for both of them that they wanted to become teachers.

With their future careers in mind they set off to apply to study primary education at university, typically when school friends part ways.

However, despite applying to study at various universities, the duo were both accepted to study at the University of Strathclyde and they embarked once again to study together.

On June 26, the friends were once again photographed together having graduated from the same university on the same course, with the same degree - a Batchelor of Arts (honours) in primary education.

Having been through, classes in primary, secondary and university together the pair are now about to begin teaching their own classes.

April, who had wanted to be a teacher from the age of seven and had always loved working with children, spent the last years of secondary education volunteering her help for work with children to ensure her place in university and as well as studying herself, tutored in her spare time.

But despite her determination April was grateful to have the support of her friend throughout her education.

She said: “It’s been really nice having been through all of education together.

“We have supported each other though the good times and got each other through the more challenging times during their course.

“It’s exciting that we are both about to start the same career and will help each other though it like we have done so far.”

Daniel had the opportunity to study in China in 2016 and attended Nanjing Normal University while completing placements at various schools across Nanjing.

He visited numerous culture sites and even walked the Great Wall of China, but despite being away, was grateful for the support of April also.

He said: “Going through both school and university with April was great as we were able to support one another.

“Also, I believe that managing to put up with each another for this amount of time is an achievement in itself!”

April will now be teaching a primary three/four class at Renton Primary and Daniel will be posted at a primary five class at Scotstoun Primary.