RICHARD Farrelly managed to cram in studying for his GCSEs, working part time and helping out at home and yet he still managed to get top grades.

The 16-year-old, who went to The Grange School, gained three A*, 6 A, 1 B and 1 C grades in his exams despite spending his spare time working at a local pet shop and helping his family at home.

His delighted mother, Cheryl, said: "I'm disabled so things aren't always very easy for him because he helps out at home and does his work. He's probably had to help out at home more than a lot of kids and he works part-time at a pet shop to save up for university, so we're especially proud of him."

Richard, who lives in Beechwood in Runcorn, will be going to Sir John Deane's College to study for his A-levels in September.