A YOUNG science buff has extra cause to celebrate the first few days of teenage life after being awarded a B grade in GCSE astronomy a week after his 13th birthday.

Tristram Keats from St Cleer sat his GCSE paper in June at the age of 12, when most children take their end-of-school exams at 16.

And there was double cause for celebration after his mum, Tanya, received the same grade after taking the course with him, which involved studying planets and the solar system.

Tristram, who already has an IQ that would guarantee him membership to intellectual group Mensa, said he was not expecting to do so well in his exam.

Excellent

He said: 'I was predicted a C or a D grade, so to get a B is excellent.

'I couldn't believe it – I just thought "woah!".'

The former St Cleer and Pensilva Primary School pupil, who currently studies at Saltash.net Community School, took weekly classes with his mum at Callington Space Centre.

He now plans to complete his Geology GCSE next year, before completing further GCSEs at 16.

He hopes to attend a veterinary nursing course at Duchy College and train to become an equine vet at university.

Mum Tanya, 36, said: 'He has always been interested in science.

'I remember he got some models of the human skeleton when he was about four or five.

'I am so proud of him. It is a great achievement.'

Tristram, whose pets include four budgies, three guinea pigs, two rabbits, a hamster, a kitten and tropical fish, said he enjoyed spending his time learning and particularly enjoyed reading books.