TODAY is the day that hundreds of teenagers across the borough will open their GCSE results.

It follows the announcement of last week's A-level results, in which, as we report today, there were plenty of success stories in the Basingstoke area.

For those that have been present at results day, for whatever level of education, it can be an incredibly nerve-racking time for all involved.

And so it proved at Queen Mary's College last Thursday for the A-level results, when the students opened their envelopes to find their final grades.

The college has achieved a fantastic set of results, albeit with a marginal fall in the overall pass rate.

It is perhaps unfair to single out one pupil when so many have achieved success, but it is hard not be taken by the story of Christian Sallows.

The 23-year-old returned to full-time education after his dream of a career as a footballer evaporated when he was released by Eastleigh Football Club.

He admitted that he had misbehaved at school as a teenager, only focussing on being a footballer.

When that did not work out, he tried a career in insurance, but was keen to go back to education.

It turned out to be the right decision, because last week he found out he got one A* grade and two As, and is now off to study ancient history at Bristol University.

Perhaps the moral of the story is that you are never too old to get the grades you want.

Congratulations to all students in the Basingstoke area who have achieved success in their A-levels and GCSEs.