DURHAM High School for Girls has a record seven Oxbridge candidates.

Five sixth-formers have offers to study at Cambridge University and two could be off to Oxford if they get the right A Level grades.

Jessica McCormick, of Esh Winning, and Elizabeth Stoker, of High Shincliffe, have been accepted by Cambridge's Newnham College. Jessica would read modern languages and Elizabeth natural sciences.

They could be joined by Anna Booth, of Bishop Auckland, who has an offer to read Classics at King's College, Tasmin Ryder, of Brancepeth, plans to study history at Robinson College, and Katie Cowan, of Durham,who plans to teach young children and has been accepted by Homerton College.

Hoping to go to Oxford are Emily Barker, of Stanley, who plans to study music at Exeter College and head girl Ingrid Frater, of Hartlepool, who has been offered a place reading history at St Hugh's College.

Head Patricia Burton said their success meant 18 per cent of the year group had Oxbridge offers.