A FORMER pupil at Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, has been awarded a prize for being the top A-level physics student in the country.

Ben Grandey, 18, of Middlesbrough, scored 596 marks out of a possible 600 in the Edexcel exam.

He travelled to London with his proud parents earlier this month to collect the Psalters Horners Advanced Physics Prize in recognition of his achievement.

As well as a certificate from the Psalters Institute, he was presented with a snuff horn, made from an ox horn, and a cash prize.

Ben, who is also a former pupil of Acklam Grange School, Middlesbrough, is now in his first year at St John's College, Oxford where, not surprisingly, he is studying physics.

"It was quite a surprise to hear I had come top in the country," he said, "and then to receive an award was unexpected.

"I'd like to pay tribute to my physics teacher at the sixth form, Dr Malcolm Jeremy, for all his encouragement. He helped me a lot."

He added: "I have really enjoyed my first term at Oxford - it's very exciting and there are lots of new things to do.

"If all goes well, I will go on and do my master's and then go into academic research. But I'm not sure in which field at the moment."

Ben was also in the top five in the country in A-level mathematics and further mathematics.

He left Prior Pursglove with five A-levels and distinctions in the physics and chemistry advanced extension awards.