EXCELLENT A-level results mean 26 students at Turton High School can embark on careers in the medical sector.

This year, more than 200 Turton students sat A-levels, gaining a 99 per cent pass rate and 44 per cent A and B grades. The average point score per student rose from 22 to 23.

Six of Turton's best are now off to medical school to become doctors. They are: Khalika Sonara, Stuart Syddall, Chin-Kien Chong, Sanil Ajwani, Andrew Raistrick and Simbarashe Zvauya.

Twenty more students are embarking on other medical courses such as optometry, pharmacy and dentistry.

Andrew, aged 18, is going to study medicine at the same university as Prince William, St Andrew's in Scotland, after getting As in biology, chemistry, maths and physics.

He said: "I was hoping that I would do well enough to study medicine. My exams seemed to go reasonably well but you can never tell can you? I just feel relieved and excited."

Sanil, also aged 18, has accepted a place at Manchester University to study medicine.

"I wanted to go there because its got a really good reputation."

He hopes eventually to specialise in surgery.

Andy Mills, Turton director of sixth form, praised the students's achievements.

He said: "There is a real buzz of expectation and achievement in the college now. Equal numbers of students from Turton and from other schools across Bolton work together and support each other very well, as these results show."

Deputy-headteacher John Porteous said: "They have worked hard and deserve their level of success.

"I would also like to thank the staff and parents who have offered such valuable support through the college years.

"It is a real privilege to see so many students gaining a passport to promising careers with these results."