WARRINGTON has celebrated another year of improved GCSE results as success rates continued to climb.

Overall, schools managed to exceed expectations and beat last year's record, placing results well above the country's average.

Education chiefs say success rates continue to improve with 65 per cent of the town's 2,500 16-year-olds scoring the best marks.

This beats last year's high of 61 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades.

Meanwhile, 93 per cent passed five or more GCSEs including English and maths, three points higher than the national average.

Clr Sheila Woodyatt, borough council executive member for children's services, said: "I would like to congratulate both school staff and pupils on successes this year.

"Warrington's performance continues to improve at a higher rate than other areas.

"Our 18th national ranking last year was an improvement from 24th place the previous year."

Shining stars this year include Rebecca McCartney, from Latchford, who attends Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School.

She achieved an impressive 10 A* grades.

Also flying high was Appleton lad Tom Crawford, from Bridgewater High School, who scored 10 A*s.

Andrew Boreham, also from Bridgewater High scored five A*s and seven A grades.

Last year, Warrington's GCSE performance ranked 18th out of 149 English local education authorities and second highest in the north west.