YOUNGSTERS across the county had their fair share of success in this year's GCSE results, with a handful gaining some of the top marks in the country.

Two 16-year-old students from Northallerton College celebrated a double success as they walked away with some of the country's top marks in Design and Technology Graphics.

Thomas Hutchinson and Nicholas Lee were over the moon to receive their outstanding results last week, with Thomas notching up eight A-stars and three A's and Nicholas six A-stars and four A's.

However top of the class overall at the college was 16-year-old Emma Lyle, who took 11 subjects and achieved A-stars in all of them.

And at an independent school near Thirsk 16-year-old Sophia Kaye received a congratulatory letter from the examining board on her outstanding English results.

Many schools celebrated a marked increase in the percentage of pupils achieving grades A-star - C. The Wensleydale School, in Leyburn, saw a three per cent increase and Northallerton College, 2.5 per cent