A TROPHY for outstanding achievement will be received by two pupils from a village school next Wednesday.

Philip Ward and Thomas Wigham, both 16, of Hurworth School Maths and Computing College, near Darlington, have gained the highest GCSE exam qualifications in their year: 9 A*s and 1.5 As each - the half mark for a short religious studies course.

The trophy, which is sponsored by Lloyds TSB, has been awarded to pupils at the school since 1981.

Both Thomas and Philip are planning to attend Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College.

Thomas will study mathematics, German, economics and law, and Philip plans to study biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Thomas said: "I was pretty amazed at what I achieved. I didn't expect to get anything as high as I did."

Philip said: "We'll be pretty pleased if we get all As in our A-levels"