AN EXBOURNE family has scored a hat trick with three siblings all graduating in the same year.

This summer has been one big celebration for Greg, Miles and Helen Harris who have each qualified at different stages of education.

Greg, 26, has achieved his PhD in Astronomy at University College, London and is now a Research Fellow investigating the effort of molecules on stellar atmosphere and evolution, part of a team whose ultimate aim is to obtain an estimate of the age of the universe.

Miles, 23, has gained his Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics at the University of Wales, Swansea and is now studying for a PGCE teaching qualification at the University of Warwick .

And younger sister Helen, 21, has also qualified from Swansea, with a BA in psychology.

Before continuing her studies, Helen is taking a gap year which will include time spent teaching English abroad.

All three graduates attended either Exbourne or Okehampton Primary Schools and Okehampton College, where their mum Sue has been a French teacher for the last 14 years.

Mrs Harris said she was very proud of her three children, who had worked really hard and been very single minded about achieving their goals.

?It just so happens that they have all graduated at the same time because Miles and Greg have done higher degrees and finished in the same year as Helen,? she said.

?They are all products of the state school system and I think their success says a lot about Okehampton College and the schools in this area.?

The Harris children regularly come home to catch up with family and friends and Miles has recently spent some time at Okehampton College, observing lessons as part of his PGCE.

He is also a keen member of the Okehampton Men?s Hockey Club.