THE future looked bright for students from Okehampton College as they collected their AS and A2 results last week.

Students gathered at the college last Thursday to pick up their grades, which were almost the same as last year's high standards.

While some students couldn't wait to open their brown envelopes, others chose to hold off until they got home to read their results.

Matt Webber, 18, from North Tawton, achieved three As and an A star. He said: 'I am really pleased and happy with what I got.

'I am planning to go to Bath University to study Chemical Engineering — I feel really proud.'

Natalie Dennis, 18 from Hatherleigh, said: 'I am very pleased with my results and will now go to Bristol University to study radiography.'

Ross Jones, 18, from Bridestowe, said: 'I got two Bs and a C and I hope to study at Bournmouth University to do Design Engineering.'

Okehampton College principal, Daryll Chapman, said he was 'over the moon' with the students' grades.

He said: 'We are very pleased with the results, they are very much in line with last year's, which were the best the college has ever had.

'We've maintained the high standard and it's testament to the hard work that the students and staff have put in over the last couple of years.

'I feel proud of them and their achievements and hopefully it will see them gain the qualifications they need to continue into higher education, or to get the jobs they are after.'

This year, 76% of all qualifications taken received an A to C grade.

Mr Chapman added: 'We are really pleased the students have sustained that level.

'Both the students and the staff put in a lot of dedication and extra sessions.

'We've also had some superb individual results from students.'

Shebbear College also celebrated the success of its students at A-level.

Pupils achieved a 97% pass rate with 43% of passes at A or B grade.

Headmaster Bob Barnes said he was delighted that the hard work of so many pupils has reaped its reward.