A STUDENT who battled back from the brink of death after suffering with anorexia has earned three top A-level grades to the delight of her family.

At her lowest, Jennifer Matthews weighed five stone following a year-long battle with the eating disorder and as a result the 18-year-old missed months of school.

But after showing her determination to beat the disease, Jennifer was awarded three A* grades in chemistry, maths and biology – including 100 per cent in her final biology and maths modules.

The English Martyrs Sixth Form pupil from Hartlepool’s Bishop Cuthbert estate, was rushed to hospital last July after her weight plummeted.

Doctors told the teenager that if she hadn’t been admitted to The University Hospital of Hartlepool she would have died that day as she was so weak.

Jennifer missed four months of college and taught herself using books teachers had sent to her in hospital.

Amazingly, the talented teenager – who puts her anorexia down to a lack of confidence and self belief – managed the A* grades.

Jennifer, who returned to college part-time in January, is the first in the family to go to university and from September she will be studying dentistry for five years at the University of Sheffield.

She said: “I was really shocked when I opened my results.

It was not what I expected at all.

“I taught myself when I was in hospital and only returned part-time in January, so I do feel proud of myself.

“It is still hard to keep on top of the anorexia, but I know other people who have been in my position and I want people to know that you can come back from it.”