HEARTBREAK turned to joy in a matter of days for a teenager who was distraught to find she had narrowly missed out on a place at Cambridge University.

When Toto Reissland-Burghart's German A-level result fell five marks short of an A grade, she feared her dream was doomed.

However, the 19-year-old refused to give up, asking for her exam paper to be re-marked.

Less than a week later, she had secured the extra points and was awarded the A she needed.

"I have wanted to go to Cambridge University ever since I was little," said Toto, a pupil at Durham School.

"I somehow always thought I would go and I had expected to get straight As.

"When I found out I had got a B in German, I spoke to my teacher. I was never fantastic at German, but he said I should have got an A and should appeal.

"I wasn't so much disappointed as determined to change it.

"The exam board said they would re-mark it within a month, but Cambridge said although they would keep the place for me, they needed to know within a week-and-a-half.

"I think the school regularly phoned them up, and I heard within a week.

"I got a call from the headmistress' secretary, which was a bit unnerving - the headmistress wanting to speak to me early one morning.

"But when I heard I had got the extra marks, I was completely thrilled."

Toto, who lives in Durham City, is now set for Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where she will begin studying for a degree in English literature later this month.

"I cannot wait. All I ever wanted to do was to read English literature at Cambridge. It's going to be brilliant," she said.

Toto also achieved grade in her history and English literature A-levels.

She is as yet undecided on what career to pursue.

Rodney Thomas, Durham School's director of marketing, said: "We are all delighted that Toto has finally managed to fulfil her dream.

"She is a highly talented student who we are sure will do very well at Cambridge."