SIX students from the same college were celebrating a sparkling set of A-level results yesterday - after notching up four As each.

Six is the highest number to collect four As at Northallerton College, North Yorkshire, since 1997, and no one was more delighted than the youngsters involved - Hannah Chapman, Kate Clapham, Zoe Davies, Julian Hazeldine, Claire Peacock and Rachel Town.

Nearly a quarter - 24 per cent - of all the grades awarded at the college were As, and the 115 students who sat A-levels had an overall pass rate of 94.5 per cent.

That is almost five per centage points higher than the national average - and 43 per cent of the grades were A or B grades.

Of the college's 83 GNVQ students, 69 per cent passed with distinction or merit and, among AS-level students, Jess Jones took French a year early and still managed an A-grade.

"These excellent results are a fitting way to celebrate the year in which the college embarks in a £600,000 building development scheme," said principal Jennifer Slater.

Chairman of the governors John Dennis added: "The results are a fine tribute to the yard work of the staff and students and to the caring support of the students.