EXAMINATION results are so very important to teenagers.

In many cases they can shape the whole future life-course of the young person.

It is, therefore, crucial to each and every pupil that, not only do they do well, but that the results are on time and are correct.

The news that pupils at Bolton Sixth Form College and Smithills High School have received Maths GCSE results that are 'unreliable' is very worrying.

Young people are left in no doubt as to how important these examinations are. It is a time fraught with mental anguish for them and their parents.

All are "psyched up" for results day.

Absolutely the last thing they need at this time is for anything to go wrong with their results.

In this case it appears that a London-based examination board has failed to take into account some of the course-work carried out by pupils in Maths, and therefore sent out incorrect grades.

The board has apologised and says that it is looking into the situation.

This is not good enough.

Quite apart from the confusion for many pupils and schools trying to work out the future for youngsters who may, or may not, have been given the wrong grades, the let-down must be almost unbearable.

One mistake means that all results will be suspect, confusion reigns in households where the agony should all be over and done with.

At a time like this even the smallest mistake is simply not acceptable. Teenage crime AT the other end of the scale Bolton Magistrates have been told that they are putting too many teenagers behind bars.

It seems that young offenders institutes are nearly full.

And Bolton Magistrates -- the ones who may not have a court to sit in in the future -- are handing out too many custodial sentences.

That is the view of the Youth Custodial Service at least.

And local MP Dr Brian Iddon agrees that so many young people -- 40 between October 2000 and March of this year --should not be sent away.

We couldn't agree more, but would like to offer another solution to the problem.

Stop them from committing the crimes in the first place.