The waiting ended today for thousands of teenagers across the Bradford district as their A-Level results were finally released.

Early signs suggested Bradford schools had enjoyed a bumper year of exam success - reflecting national improvements.

According to national statistics, the pass rate edged up for the 21st year running, to 95 per cent. The proportion of students gaining A grades also rose slightly.

While some industry bosses decried what they saw as a further fall in standards - with exams becoming less challenging - schools minister David Miliband defended students and their teachers.

He compared students to athlete Paula Radcliffe, stressing people recognised that runners were improving rather than the London Marathon was becoming easier.

At Beckfoot School in Bingley the school's pass rate matched the national average at 95 per cent.

Proud head teacher David Horn said: "We are delighted with these A-level results. We had a 95 per cent pass rate with almost 40 per cent achieving the highest A-level grades, A and B. Our analysis shows we have a very strong positive value-added score."

Value-added scores do not simply measure how high the grades are, but reflect how far pupils have progressed, sometimes from a low base.

Top of the class at Beckfoot were Vicky Springthorpe with four straight A grades and Alison Wade with three straight As.

"We are very proud of their achievements, and of the achievements of all of our students, and expect wonderful things of them as they move on to higher education and work," Mr Horn said.

Marina McKenna was rated in the top five in the country for general studies by the AQA board.

At fee-paying Bradford Grammar School in Frizinghall, A-level results were said to be at a ten-year high - with 85 per cent of entries marked at either a grade A or grade B.

Secondary Heads Association general secretary John Dunford warned the nation's future prosperity could be at stake because of a trend towards the so-called 'soft' subjects of psychology and media studies, and away from maths and modern languages. .

The overall national A-level pass rate rose from 94.3 to 95.4. The proportion awarded A-grades increased to 21.6 per cent from 20.7 per cent.

The Joint Council for General Qualifications, representing the exam boards, showed boys continued to lag behind girls.

English was the most popular subject, followed by general studies, maths, biology, history, and psychology.

Mike Tomlinson, the independent watchdog heading the inquiry into last year's A-level marking fiasco, issued a statement saying candidates could be confident this year that rules had been followed properly.

Bradford College is holding its first Clearing Open Day on Saturday.

The college will be showcasing its higher education courses to prospective students from 10am to 3pm in the Westbrook Building Hall in Great Horton Road. A general Open Day takes place on August 21.

The Clearing advice line at the College was taking calls today from 8.30am to 6pm on (01274) 433444.