A DARLINGTON student has excelled in her A-level results and is now looking forward to a career as a vet.

Hannah Tewby, 18, who attends Polam Hall School, gained five A grades in maths, English Literature, chemistry, biology and general studies.

She has turned down a place at Cambridge University in favour of veterinary medicine at the University of Liverpool, which she will start after a year out travelling.

Hannah is planning spend a few months in Italy, before going to Canada to help in a research project on elks.

She said: "I'm overwhelmed. I did work hard, I'm a bit of a worrier. I've wanted to be a vet for quite a long time, it's the only thing I could see myself doing for the rest of my life."

The pass rate at the school was 97.5 per cent this year, with 50 per cent of sixth formers gaining A or B grades.

Other students from Polam Hall who also did well include Katie, Pratt who gained four A grades and a B, and Sarah Colegrove with three As and a B.