EXAMINATION results for A and AS Level students in Bury are once again below the national average - but are showing signs of catching up.

The figures were released with the GCSE performance tables for Bury and Bolton last Thursday.

They show an average point score per student of 260.8 across the borough, well below a national average of 269.2.

However the gap - 8.4 points - is considerably narrower than last year's difference of 16.

And several schools and colleges emerged with results that were well above average for England.

At Holy Cross College there were celebrations for results described as the college's "best ever", with an average score per student of 341.1.

Results calculated by the college place it joint tenth out of 430 nationally for pupils' A-Level points scores - the highest ranking it has ever achieved.

Principal Mike OHare said: "It is a great achievement for a non-selective college like Holy Cross to be rated so highly at national level.

"I have to pay tribute to the staff who have worked so hard to continually raise achievement in the college."

Overall, Bury Grammar (Girls) emerged top in the borough with an average point score per student of 398.1.

Headteacher Bobby Georghiou: "We're delighted the girls have done so well and they have got very good places at university.

"This is down to a lot of hard work in their studies, but also a balanced education that involves a lot of extra-curricular activities."

Bury College, which takes more than 45 per cent of the borough's exam entrants, was well below the national average with a student score of 202.

Principal Dr Helen Gilchrist said that the tables failed to take account of further education qualifications other than A and AS Levels.

"We have improved year on year our overall A-Level pass rate by examination entry to 98per cent, which is above the national average pass rate.

"Once again, however, the Performance Tables do not reflect the range or quality of advanced level qualifications which our students sit.

"Although each year I am very proud of our A-Level success, I am equally proud of our performance in our BTEC National Diploma courses and other advanced level courses which also give access to higher education."