FRIENDS Abbey Underwood and Lauren Scuffham proved to be star students after scoring distinctions in every one of their 18 units during their Health and Social Care courses.

The 18-year-olds from Redcar and Cleveland College worked hard to come out with the top grade in the Extended Diploma Level 3 course, winning them both places to study degrees in Learning Disability Nursing at Teesside University.

Tutor, Claire Barwick, said: "They have demonstrated consistent hard work and have been a real pleasure to teach.

"Both have a real passion for health and social care and supporting others, so I have no doubt whatsoever that they will be a great success in their careers."

Abbey, from Redcar, said: "I really wanted to get distinctions in all of my units, so I put in the extra work to make it happen. I have loved every minute of my course.Now I can't wait to start university."

Lauren, from Skelton, east Cleveland, wants to work in a special needs school once she has completed her degree.

She said: "I was aiming to get distinctions across the board, so I'm very chuffed that I managed it. It was hard work, but I really enjoyed the course, so I didn't mind. Now I have a place at university, I know it was worth it."

College Principal Gary Groom said he was delighted with the number of BTEC distinctions this year, which has increased overall year on year. On some courses at the college, more than 50 percent of students achieved distinctions.