PUPILS across East Lancashire were today jumping for joy after collecting a crop of excellent GCSE results. Girls at Westholme School, Blackburn, picked up an amazing set of results with 100 per cent of pupils gaining a minimum of five GCSEs at grades A-C.

Four pupils gained 10 A*s and another 22 picked up 10 As each.

Headteacher Lilian Croston said: "I want to congratulate pupils, staff and parents on their hard work which has brought success beyond measure."

St Augustine's RC High, Billington, were also celebrating results which were way up on last year.

Headteacher Anthony McNamara said: "The whole school is absolutely thrilled with these results which are a credit to the efforts of the staff and pupils."

Pupils at Our Lady and St John's RC High School, Blackburn, also collected achieved improved grades on last year.

Deputy headteacher Tony Farrell said: "We are delighted for all the pupils whose hard work has brought them excellent grades." Nationally the results were the best ever, with a 1.1 per cent increase on last year in candidates obtaining grades A*-C, and the percentage of A* and A grades awarded increased by 0.5 per cent.

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