A PUPIL at Tottington High School is rejoicing after her GCSE results placed her in prestigious company.

Halle Preston, aged 16, from Radcliffe, was the top achiever in her school as she was awarded Grade 9 in English language, English literature and the mathematics.

It is thought that gaining three 9s means she is one of approximately 2,000 others to have achieved the feat nationwide.

Halle will now go to Holy Cross College after also receiving five A*s and one A.

She said: "I did a lot better than expected to be honest. I knew that I would do well in English but not in my other subjects.

"I just put it down to lots of hard work and dedication. I think that I was more emotional than my parents when I saw what I had got. I was crying my eyes out!"

Halle is now eyeing a possible career as an author and is currently in the process of writing a sci-fi book, which she is planning to illustrate herself.

"The dream is to become and author in the future but we will see what happens, I want to keep my options open."

Halle will take up English literature and psychology at college, and thinks that she will also study biology.

She added: "Tottington High is such a great school and I am going to really miss everyone. All of the teachers here are just brilliant."