WREXHAM Council has praised students across the borough for their "excellent" A-level performance.

Results show an overall pass rate of 99.1 per cent, which is two per cent higher than the all-Wales figure of 97.1 per cent.

It is also two per cent igher than last year.

Of the total number of results in Wrexham 71.6 per cent are A* - C grades.

This is a five per cent improvement on 2009, with 17.4 per cent graded at A* or A.

The A* grade has been awarded for the first time this summer at A-level.

The pass rate for the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma qualification, taken by almost half this year’s sixth form leavers, is 98.4 per cent.

These results are even higher than last year’s exceptionally good performance and well above the Welsh figure of 81 per cent. 

Students who achieved the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification were successful in both their A-level subjects and the full range of key skills qualifications.

In Wrexham 97.1 per cent of sixth-formers also achieved the Level 3 threshold.

This is 2.9 per cent higher than last year’s validated figure.

The Level 3 threshold performance measure takes into account all qualifications, including A and AS Level, vocational and key skills qualifications.

John Davies, the council's chief learning and achievement officer, said: "These are excellent results.

"They reflect the hard work and commitment of our young people, their families and teachers.

"Schools can be proud of their achievements.

"I wish all our students well as they move on to higher education, training or employment."