A student from Penwortham is believed to be one of the country's highest flyers after scooping top marks at A-level today (Thursday).

Runshaw College student, Simon Bond, 18, of Gleneagles Drive, Penwortham, is on his way to Oxford University to study for a degree in maths and computer science after getting five A grades.

The former All Hallows High School student, who is also a bell-ringer at St Mary's Church, Cop Lane, Penwortham, and at Preston Minster, only needed A's in maths, further maths and physics for Oxford, but scooped top marks in computing and chemistry as well.

He said: "I can't believe I'm going to Oxford.

"When I went for my interview I was amazed. It's incredible I'll actually be going there."

Simon, who got ten A* and two A's in his GCSEs, is hoping to join the prestigious university's bell-ringing club but is still unsure about his future career.

The results out today show all colleges in the area have reason to celebrate, after drawing in figures expected to be well above the national average.

Preston College recorded the biggest improvement in its A-E grades with a 99.2 per cent pass rate for full-time 16-to-18-year-olds compared to last year's 98.2 per cent.

There was 100 per cent pass rate in 32 out of 37 subjects and 66.1 per cent achievement for A-C grades.

Principal Stuart Ingleson said: "The students and their parents should be very proud of their achievements."

Cardinal Newman College got their best ever results with 99 per cent of A-level students getting an A-E grade compared with 98 per cent last year.

Every student studying vocational A-levels passed and 65 per cent of A-level students got A and B grades.

Principal Stephen Pegg said the college's results this year were well above the national average.

"It has been a wonderful year for the college and the results follow a marvellous Ofsted report in February in which all areas were graded good or outstanding," he added.

At Runshaw College, staff were still collating the results at the time of going to press, but were able to tell us that the number of A grades attained by students has risen from 692 in 2004 to 728 this year.

Principal Michael Sheehan said: "We're delighted about Simon's' achievement, it's a credit to all his hard work."

Lancashire county councillor Alan Whittaker, cabinet member for schools, said: "I would like to congratulate all the students who have received A-level results today in what looks likely to be yet another excellent year."

l Next Thursday, August 25, pupils who sat GCSE examinations this year will get their results.