A-LEVEL results released by the four sixth-form colleges in South East Cornwall have revealed that their students are the tops with the overall pass rate in grades A* to E rising to 98 per cent.

Students are jumping for joy after weeks of waiting, and have produced some outstanding results.

Gill Pritchard, of Liskeard sixth form, says the students have excelled this year by achieving the best set of A-level results the school has known. She said: 'I am proud of this year group, not only for their excellent academic achievements, but also for their passion to pursue their ambitions and to be involved in the community.'

The school achieved an overall 99 per cent pass rate with 84 per cent of grades from A-C.

Off to Cambridge University are Perry Harwood with two A*s in maths and further maths and two As in music and physics, and Sam Thomas, who also got two A*s for maths and further maths, plus an A for physics.

Other high achievers were: Dan Nash, two A*s and an A; Megan Keeley, A*, two As and a B; Lily Harrison-Ward, two A*s and a B; Alfie Thornton, A*, A and B; Lauren Crabb, three As and a B; Charlotte Smith, A*, A and a B, and James Corberry Todd, A, B and C. These students also had A*-B for their extended subjects.

For the second year in succession, sixth form students at Torpoint Community College scored 100 per cent pass rate, with 78 per cent gaining a C or above. Of these 50 per cent gained A*-B grades.

Individual achievements include Tamsyn Hudson Rose, an A* in literature, A in history and A in French. Tamsyn will be studying law at Cambridge. Her twin sister Zoe gained A*, A and C.

Mrs Lear, head of sixth form, said: 'We are proud of each and every one of our students. They worked incredibly hard and we are all absolutely delighted with their success.

'Whilst we are over the moon with so many A* and A grades we are equally proud of the students who gave their studies 100 per cent and reached and exceeded targets.'

This year's results set a new record at Callington with more than 86 per cent of students achieving two or more A-levels. More than 50 per cent gained A*-B grades and approximately 80 per cent achieved A*-C grades.

Top Year 13 performer was Aislyn Taylor who achieved three A*s in chemistry, biology and maths and an A in further maths. She will be reading natural sciences at Cambridge University.

Jess Cox gained two A*s in photography and art, A in media studies and B in history, while Aggie Eynon achieved an A* and two As. There were three As for Ellen Chaplin.

There were many other outstanding achievements, among them Year 12 students Qinglin Li who gained A* grades in A-level maths and further maths, and A grades in physics and Chinese at AS level, and Dan Crowle who achieved an A grade at A-level and three As at AS-level.

College principal Gary Lobbett said: 'I am delighted that our sixth form students have achieved such success. Our students have worked tremendously well and it is great to see their delight.'

Saltash college's sixth form also had an outstanding set of A-level results with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent. Of these, 42 per cent were A*-B and 70 per cent were A*-C.

There was a high level of individual success with a significant increase in the top grades.

Top results were: head student Hannah Burtwell, A*, two As; Letty Atkinson, Harry Carter, Natalie Clark, all A* and two As; Dan Palk and Lisa Todd both had three As.

Headteacher Isobel Bryce said: 'This excellent level of achievement is reflected in the high proportion of students who have gained a place at their first choice university.

'I would like to congratulate all the students, they have worked so hard and they deserve these excellent outcomes.'