WIDNES pupils celebrated this year's GCSE results as Halton schools bucked the national trend and continued to improve.

The borough's schools saw 44 per cent of pupils achieve five or more grades A* to C, the best ever figures since Halton Council went unitary five years ago.

At Fairfield High School, 47 per cent of pupils achieved five or more passes at A* to C, a 19 per cent improvement on last year.

Top performers Danielle Fraser, Mark Quaile. Beth Mahon, Patrick Lucas and Lara Thornett got 10 GCSEs each - and 13 A*s between them!

Wade Deacon saw 69 per cent of pupils gain five or more passes at grades A* to C.

Head Teacher, Peter Barry, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the record breaking performances of this year's pupils.

"It is a reward for all the hard work that staff and pupils have put in for five years."

Head boy, Michael Edwards, got 11 A*s and head girl, Laura Campbell, got four A*s and six A grades.

Achieved

At SS Peter and Paul, Matthew Lowe achieved five A*s and six As while Andrew Sutton got five A*s and four As.

Katy Greal, Nicola Farrell and Lynsey Kenrick also scored all A*s and A grades.

Headteacher, John Atherton, said: "We are equally proud of the pupils who, although not necessarily obtaining top grades, worked to the best of their ability in obtaining their passes."