FRIENDS will be reunited in the hallowed halls of Britain's leading universities next year after each achieving academic excellence.

For 11 students from across east Cleveland have been accepted to study at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

This is the second time in three years that the number of A-level students at Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough, accepted for Oxbridge has reached double figures.

A spokesman for the college said: "The students' achievement is a great reflection of their own motivation, the dedication of staff and the college's strong work ethic.

"The competition to get into Oxbridge has been even greater this year with the number of applications up by 8.5 per cent nationally."

The 11 students are: Sarah Boyes, Gareth Clay, Stephen Harrap, Luke Johnson, Sam Kennedy, Geoff Lam, Zarah Rasool, Ben Tyreman, Neil Christie, Toju Sillo and Rorie MacDondald.