Another record year for A-levels

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But figures released by the exam boards highlighted startling discrepancies in Grade A pass rates between regions across England.

Statistics from the exam boards showed greater improvements in students in the South East getting A grades in the past six years than those in the North East.

The South East has seen a 6.1% increase in A grades - to 29.1% - since 2002 but the North East has seen an improvement of only 2.1% - to 19.8% - during the same period.

But the percentage of pupils gaining passing E grades is rising quicker in the North East - an improvement of 3.4% in six years compared with 2.8% in the South East.

Overall figures showed the national pass rate soared above 97% for the first time this year, while one in four sixth-formers were awarded A grades (25.9%, up from 25.3% last year)

The figures showed traditional subjects are still firm favourites with English and maths the top choices for candidates.

Dr Mike Cresswell, director general of the AQA, said A-levels remained a "highly-valued qualification".

He said he was particularly pleased to see the numbers of maths candidates rise from 60,093 last year to 64,593 this year.

"There was an upward trend that began a couple of years ago that has accelerated. There are more candidates doing mathematics than at any time in the past. It's important we have people with high mathematic skills so that has to be good news."