Pupils and teachers at schools in the Devizes area are celebrating good results in GCSEs.

Lavington School bettered its record results of last year with 74 per cent of pupils gaining five or more A* to C grades and 66 per cent achieved five or more in the top grades including English and maths.

Nearly ten per cent of the pupils achieved ten or more A* and A grades.

Headteacher Martin Watson said: "The students and staff should be proud of these achievements, which reflect their hard work and commitment. I am delighted that the school continues to go from strength to strength."

Star performers were Lizzie Perkins with 12 A* grades, Will Heinzelmann with 11 A*, Jethro Thompson with 11 A* and 1A and Sam Hiscock with seven A* and five As.

Jethro, of Coulston, said: "I'm obviously quite happy, some subjects were hard and others easy."

He is going to study five A levels at Dauntsey's School and hopes to become a barrister.

A delighted Sam, who lives near Market Lavington, said: "I was hoping for straight As, I didn't think I would get so many A*s."

Tom Taylor, of Bulkington, achieved two A* and eight A grades and is thinking of a career in law or accountancy.

He said: "I can't stop smiling. I was hoping to do well and I am very pleased with my grades."

Michael Bate, of Bottlesford near Pewsey, gained five A*, four As, two Bs and a C grade.

He said: "The exams were hard, they were not a walk in the park, and I'm really happy with my grades."

He is going to St John's School in Marlborough to study A levels and is thinking a of a career in motorsport engineering.

Naomi Clarke, of Shrewton, achieved four A* grades, seven As and a B grade.

She is going to study outdoor pursuits at a college in Hampshire.

At Devizes School 66 per cent of pupils achieved five or more GCSES at grades A* to C, down one per cent on last year's record results, and 50 per cent passed five or more at the top grades including English and maths. Twenty per cent of the grades were A* and A.

Headteacher Malcolm Irons said: "It was a bigger year group this year and they were not as able as last year's but they worked really hard and to achieve 66 per cent is very good. We are very pleased and we send our congratulations to them and the staff."

Star performers included Joe Downey with seven A* grades, Lucy Baross with five A*s, athlete Joe Hutchinson matched his success on the track with four A*s, Amy Palmer achieved three As and Michael Wraw gained six A*s.

Fee paying Dauntsey's School in West Lavington also enjoyed a record set of results.

A total of 75.8 per cent of the grades were A* and A while seven pupils achieved a clean sweep in their subjects with A* grades including Kenneth Lai with 11.

Sixty four of the 114 pupils got at least eight A* and A grades.