FOR the second year running Durham High School for Girls has a record seven Oxbridge candidates.

Five sixth-formers have received offers to study at Cambridge University and three could be off to Oxford - providing they get suitable A-Level grades.

Jessica McCormick, of Esh Winning, and Elizabeth Stoker, of High Shincliffe, have been accepted by Cambridge's Newnham College.

Jessica will read modern languages and Elizabeth will study natural sciences.

They could be joined by Anna Booth, of Bishop Auckland, who has an offer to read classics at King's College; Tamsin Ryder, of Brancepeth, who plans to study history at Robinson College, and Katie Cowan, of Durham, who has been accepted by Homerton College, and intends to teach early years children,

Hoping for places at Oxford are Emily Barker, of Stanley, who plans to study music at Exeter College, and head girl Ingrid Frater, of Hartlepool, who has been offered a place reading history at St Hugh's College.

School headteacher Patricia Burton said she was delighted that the girls - 18 per cent of the year group - had equalled last year's record number of Oxbridge offers.