AFTER months of hard work and dedication the wait is finally over for hundreds of students in Newton as this year's A-level results are published.

For many teenagers these grades are the passport to university courses across the country while others will have to rethink their chosen career path.

For the second year running, students achieved a pass rate of more than 90 per cent at grades A to E, and the average point score has also improved.

Youngsters at St Aelred's Catholic Technology College, on Birley Street, were celebrating an impressive 35.5 per cent of students gaining grades A or B.

Head teacher Maria Rimmer said: "Our sixth form students emerge after 13 years of formal education, during which some of the greatest changes to the curriculum have occurred - not least at advanced level.

"I am delighted for all of them and wish them every success as they build on these results in their future higher education, training and career pathways."

Some of the top performing students at St Aelred's were Claire Dorsett, who got three As and a B - she will now go to Wigan and Leigh College to study art foundation - and Catherine Williams, who achieved two As and a B and is off to the University of Manchester to study English.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Corinne Devitt received two As and a C and is bound for the University of Lancaster to do business studies.

Clr Alma Atherton, executive member for lifelong learning at St Helens Council, said: "I congratulate all our young people who collectively have achieved these good results.

"The results reflect significant hard work by students, teachers and school communities working in partnership with the local education authority to raise standards. I wish all the young people continued success in the future."