A RECORD number of students from Queen Mary's College will be going on to study at Oxford and Cambridge this year.

Rebecca Barrett, from Berkeley Drive, Old Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, achieved a top set of results with three A*s in biology, chemistry and maths, securing her a place at Cambridge University to study veterinary medicine.

The 18-year-old former Brighton Hill Community School pupil said: “Since I was five, I have wanted to be a vet. I was shocked, surprised and ecstatic about my results. They were better than I expected.”

Speaking of her time at QMC, she added: “It was brilliant – I have loved every minute. The staff are so supportive and really helped me through it all.”

Laurie Wooldridge also gained a place at Cambridge University to study history. The 18-year-old, from Corelli Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, achieved an impressive four A*s in French, politics, history and economics. He said: “I was incredibly relieved – I couldn’t quite believe it. All that hard work that goes into it from me and everyone else, and for it to pay off in the end, it was beyond my wildest dreams.”

Laurie needed an A* and two As to be accepted at Cam-bridge, but surpassed all expectations. He added: “I was worried that I might not get in. You have got to push for it.”