A STUDENT from Nelson and Colne College has proved to be a true academic high-flyer after scooping six A grades at A-level.

Teenager Alan Wilkinson scooped top grades in maths, physics, chemistry, geography, German and general studies. He also achieved an A in AS-level further maths and a C in AS-level critical thinking.

The results are the highest number of A grades ever awarded to a student from the college.

Alan, who is chairman of the student council and a former Colne Park High School pupil, will go to Durham University in October to study engineering.

He even turned down a place at Oxford University in favour of the north east.

Alan, 18, of Trawden, said: "I was certainly hoping for the grades I got, but I wasn't really sure I'd actually get them.

"I wasn't sure I'd done that well in some of the exams and it was a very stressful six weeks between taking the exams and finding out the results. Waiting was definitely the worst bit.

"I chose to do engineering because it's really a combination of the maths and physics and they were my strongest subjects.

"I haven't decided on the sort of career I want yet, I'll take my time and see what comes along."

Nelson and Colne College boasted an outstanding year for A Level results with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent. Ten students achieved five or more grade As at A and AS Level.

Principal Dr Alison Birkinshaw said: "The A Level results this year are the best the college has ever achieved. The quality of the students' grades is the highest it's ever been and that doesn't happen by accident - it's the result of lots of very hard work and commitment from students and real dedication from the college staff who teach and support them."