STUDENTS at Darlington College are among the best in the country, according to figures.

The Learning and Skills Council has named Darlington College in the top 25 per cent of Further Education colleges.

The college beat Government targets two years ahead of schedule, increasing its student success rate to 80 per cent this year, ahead of the Government's target of 76 per cent by 2009.

That means 80 out of every 100 students will finish their course and gain qualifications.

Executive director of learning at Darlington College Sue Harris said: "We are extremely proud of these record results."

Chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council Mark Haysom praised it as "a massive achievement".

He said: "Behind the figures lies the real story, which is that more and more young people and adults are getting the qualifications they need to succeed in life."

Darlington College has invested more than £35m into its new state of the art facilities and increased the number of young people in full time education in Darlington.