STUDENTS across south Shropshire were celebrating last week following the third year in a row of record A-Level results.

Both Ludlow College and Bishop's Castle Community College, achieved a 98% pass rate, considerably ahead of the national average and yet another significant year-on-year improvement.

Independent Bedstone College, in Bucknell, achieved a perfect 100% from its 17 A-Level students.

Speaking just before he got his results was Ludlow College student, Xander Ashwell.

"I'm a little nervous," said Xander who was waiting for results on graphic design and a double A-Level in art.

"I want to do graphic design at De Montfort University and I need to get two Cs to guarantee my place.

Moments later he emerged with a huge smile.

"I got a B for my graphics and a B/C for my double art,"he revealed. "I'm really happy."

Other success stories on the day were Emily Tucker, who got three As and a B, and Julia Kolbus, who got five A-Levels, in three of which she gained an A grade.

The heads of Ludlow and Bishop's Castle played down the claim that the A-Levels are getting easier.

"These results are not the outcome of a less challenging examinations system but one that has radically changed since 2001," said Ann Brown, head of Ludlow College.

"A-Level students are a selective group in that only students with the potential to succeed are enrolled on to A-Level programmes.

"Our teachers put a great deal of effort into improving the attainment of students by thoroughly preparing them for their examinations. It is not surprising that this is paying off.

"Students and teachers deserve to be congratulated."

Terry Hunt headmaster of Bishop's Castle Community College said: "Regardless of the perennial debate about qualifications getting easier, which I strongly dispute, we must pause to take time and congratulate students, parents and teachers for achieving such a successful set of results."