SIX super students came top of the class last week as hundreds of 16-year-olds in Warrington received their GCSE results.

The talented teenagers from four secondary schools were in the top five candidates for individual subjects and ensured that results continued with recent trends and improved on previous years' grades.

Michael Weeks, of Woolston High School, received an extra special birthday present when he discovered that his English literature mark was in the top five in the country.

Lisa Etherington, of Culcheth High School, and St Gregory's High School pupil Michael Griffiths also took two of the top five spots.

Star students Amanda Carr and Stephanie Lewis, from Great Sankey High School, shone in expressive arts, and Jennifer Dumencic was one of the top five performers in geography.

Tim Warren, the borough council's assistant director for education and lifelong learning, said: "Early information we are receiving from our schools suggests that the results of Warrington's GCSE students have improved from last year.

"I would like to congratulate all the students and teachers for their very hard work and achievements over the last two years."

Results have been rising each year since Warrington became a unitary authority and early indications have shown that pupils have again achieved excellent grades.

Many students are now faced with the dilemma of whether to go into full-time employment or continue with their studies in higher education.

l Our full GCSE results round-up begins on page 97.