THE wait was finally over for hundreds of Basingstoke students this morning as they opened their A Level results.

It was another top performing year for pupils at Queen Mary's College (QMC) in Cliddesden Road, where 99 per cent achieved a pass.

This was slightly higher than the national figure of 98.1 per cent.

A total of 90 per cent of students passed their AS Level exams, which was the same as last year.

There was a slight increase in the number of top grades, with 26 per cent of students achieving A* or A at A Level, a rise of one per cent from 2015.

Whilst 25 per cent of students sitting AS Levels also achieved A* or A grades - an increase of five per cent from last year.

There was also a rise in the percentage of A* to C grades at A Level, from 75 per cent in 2015 to 78 per cent this year.

And at AS Level, 61 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades, a rise of one per cent from 2015.

Ali Foss, principal at the college, said: "This is by far our best A Level results we have ever had. There were only 14 U grades out of 2,000 entries."

She added: "There are going to be lots of happy people this morning. We are really thrilled.

"We saw students coming out of exams saying they were really tough so it's really pleasing to see them come through. Students and staff worked really hard."

The principal also pointed out that because of the A Level reforms, there were less students sitting AS Levels this year, making the results difficult to compare to previous years.

One of the high achievers at QMC was Callum Cleary, of Reading Road, Chineham, who has secured a place at Oxford University after achieving an A* in geography, and As in biology and maths.

The 18-year-old said: "It was an excellent feeling after months of tension building up to this day, but I'm extremely pleased that it's worked out."

The day was extra special for Jane Greenwood who celebrates her 18th birthday today.

The pupil, from Hatch Warren, achieved an impressive three A*s in chemistry, biology and maths, told The Gazette: "I was in complete shock to be honest. I wasn't expecting it. The exams were a lot harder than I expected."

Jane is now going to Leeds University to study medicine, and added: "I would like to do something with sports and exercise but I'm open to doing new things."

Jason Cottle was celebrating securing a place at Keel University to study medicine, after achieving an As in biology, chemistry and maths.

The 18-year-old, of Whitestones, Hatch Warren, said: "I'm amazed I got an A in maths because the exam went terribly. I was so nervous this morning."

See next Thursday's Gazette for all the pictures from A Level results day.