ELEVEN-year-olds in Warrington have achieved a high level of results in the key stage two tests for the third year in succession.

And Malcolm Roxburgh, director of education at the borough council, praised the youngsters for all their hard work.

Results for Warrington pupils achieving level four and above are higher than the national average in all three core subjects of English, maths and science, as are the scores for youngsters reaching level five and above.

Mr Roxburgh said: "In 2002 and 2001 we had the best scores in the north west and this year Warrington is third in the region.

"English results are an improvement on last year's but the maths and science results are marginally down.

"It was lovely to be the best in the north west for two years but it's expecting a lot to ask the pupils to do that every year - but we're not far off."

This year Warrington's local education authority came third in the north west behind Trafford and Sefton and the two schools topping the table for the town were Croft Primary and St Lewis' Catholic Primary, also in Croft, each with an average point score of 31.1.

All 11-year-olds at Croft Primary achieved level four in maths and science with 97 per cent in English, while 100 per cent of youngsters at St Lewis' reached level four in English and science with 97 per cent in maths.

Over the past four years English scores in Warrington have risen by 5.1 per cent, maths results have improved by 3.5 per cent and science results have gone up by 9.7 per cent.

Key stage three results, for youngsters aged 13 and 14, will be in the Guardian on Thursday, December 17.