GAINING nine GCSE passes is an achievement for anyone.

But for Julia Smith the results are even more notable because she has Down's syndrome.

Julia, 16, has gone to mainstream schools all of her life and is currently studying at St Leonard's in Durham.

Proud father Rick said: "It's very, very rare for a child with Down's syndrome to be even taking GCSEs at all.

"Julia is one of the first children in County Durham, if not the North-East, to have gone through mainstream schools as a result of the Government's policy to integrate handicapped children.

"It's a tremendous credit to the school, which has got virtually no extra funding for children with special needs. They've really put themselves out to help her."

Julia, from Kirk Merrington, loves animals and likes disco dancing like any other fun-loving teenager.

She achieved some respectable grades from her exams - two Cs, a D, five Es and an F.

Now she hopes to take further studies and gain more qualifications to help her achieve her ambition of being a librarian.

Mr Smith said: "When Julie was born, nobody knew what she could achieve.

"She's progressed and gone through the system and come out with these marvellous results. We're over the moon and we're all very proud of her.

"It's so encouraging, not only as a personal triumph, but for other parents of children with special needs or Down's syndrome to see what can be done.