THE DREAMING spires of Oxbridge are calling for two high-achieving Lytham sixth formers.

Hayley Fisher and Janine Newton, both 17, of Lytham St Annes Technology College are looking forward to taking up places at Cambridge and Oxford when they finish their A-levels.

Hayley, who is studying French, German, maths, further maths, economics and general studies at A level was excited to receive an offer to study economics at St John's College, Cambridge.

The teenager, who wants to become an economist, attended summer school at St John's last year and she was also a finalist in a recent marketing competition run by Nestl, beating 8000 other competitors.

Hayley said: "I was so surprised when I found out. It took a while to sink in, but it was fairly early in the morning -- my dad woke me up to tell me that the letter had arrived."

Modest Hayley said she is now "working hard" to get the three A grades she needs. "My friends are all really excited because they'll be able to come and visit me," she added.

Fellow sixth former Janine, deputy head girl at Lytham St Annes Technology College, has received an offer to study English literature at Pembroke College, Oxford.

Janine, who wants to be a journalist, is studying for A-Levels in English literature, physics, politics, history and general studies. She has also had articles published in The Guardian newspaper.

But Janine is keeping her options open. "I have always wanted to go to Edinburgh, " she said. "But I am very happy I have been accepted at Oxford -- it's a lovely university."