Family holds own graduation ceremony as coronavirus concern cancels University of London main event

Students at the University of London were left bitterly disappointed as graduation ceremonies were cancelled due to concerns over coronavirus.

The university said it wanted to minimise the risk to both students and their guests.

But for some families who travelled across the world to be in London there was bitter disappointment.

The ceremony was postponed three days before the Weerasooriya family was due to leave home in Sri Lanka.

Akarsha Weerasooriya finished his law degree on a distance learning course which means the studies were done in the home country and only the graduation takes place in London.

The family has seen London's famous sights but felt they had no option but to hire a gown and organise a simple ceremony of their own.

Around 4,000 students from more than 100 countries were expected to go to the event but the University of London said the virus meant it had to make a very difficult decision.

But not everyone agrees with the university's decision.

Families may have made the most of their trip but say they have been robbed of a special moment forever.