Hundreds of sixth form pupils throughout Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth have been celebrating their A-level results.

Nationwide the overall pass rate has jumped to 94 per cent, but local schools have excelled themselves, with Woodhouse Grove School at Apperley Bridge attaining a 99 per cent pass rate.

Grace Ofori-Attah scored 99.3 per cent in chemistry, which places her in the top five out of 11,000 candidates who sat the exam. Five of her six modules were rated at 100 per cent and she also achieved A grades in her other four subjects.

Headmaster David Humphreys said: "The students have coped well with the demanding new AS and A2 courses and deserve their success."

Guiseley School gained a 98 per cent pass rate and one in six of the passes at the school were A grades.

Head teacher David Lowe was the first to congratulate students. He said: "These are excellent results and we are very proud of all our students.

"However, we must recognise the hard work and dedication put into the preparation for these new exams - they have proved to be very demanding for both staff and students alike."

Pupils Heather Adams, James Hall and Claudia Perfitt all achieved A grades in each of their four subjects.

Both Claudia and Heather were awarded one of the top five marks in biology out of 12,948 candidates who sat the exam.

At Horsforth School, students have achieved their best ever pass rate with 95 per cent of all students gaining A levels.

Head teacher Steve Jex said: "I am so proud of our results this year as they clearly demonstrate the commitment of our students to their courses and the commitment of our staff who have worked tirelessly to generate this level of success."

Musician Lucy Mitchell, 18, gained five A grade - levels this year to add to another A grade A-level she got last year.

Lucy had only been back in the country for a matter of hours when she got her results.

She had been on holiday in Rhodes with a group of friends and arrived in Horsforth at 6am - just four hours before the results were due.

She said: "I'm taking a year out and then I'm going to New Zealand for seven months and then I'm taking up a deferred place at York to do English Literature."

Mike Gershon, who has supported young pupils throughout the year as a learning assistant, gained four grade As and a distinction in his extended economics paper.

Pupils at Rawdon's Benton Park School also clinched a 95 per cent pass rate.

Star pupil Oliver Wainwright, who achieved four A grades was in the top five out of 19,332 candidates who took English Literature.

He is one of five pupils with Oxbridge offers, which equals Benton Park's previous record.

Head teacher Anne Clarke said: "The results are fantastic and I understand we are in the 500 top schools. This is a good reflection on teachers and students alike."

Pupils at St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive School gained a 94 per cent pass rate and ten students achieved straight A grades.

Head teacher Michael Pyle said : "I am particularly pleased to see such a high proportion of students who started at St Mary's seven years ago progress through our sixth form and gain a place at their first choice university."

Prince Henry's students obtained the school's best results to date.

Student Paulina Jex got five straight As and is due to follow a career in medicine.

Over 53 per cent of students gained the higher grades of A and B.