ADULTS who left the classroom to take up jobs and raise families were among those celebrating GCSE success at Mid-Cheshire College on Thursday.

Many of the results were for mature students taking one or two GCSEs, which a college spokeswoman described as 'a magnificent achievement' considering most have families and are also employed full-time.

The results revealed a 100% pass rate in English and Maths with a large proportion at the top grades.

Among the students celebrating was Teresa Dingle of Winsford who achieved an A grade in English and Jennifer Austin, 18, also from Winsford, who was awarded grade C in both Maths and English to help her achieve her dream of becoming an air hostess.

Yvonne O'Sullivan, a 45-year-old teaching assistant from Kingsmead, gained a grade B in Maths to further her career while Barnton's Melanie Lancaster, 18, achieved a grade C in English to pursue a course at Liverpool Hope University.

College lecturer Lorna McKenzie, 39, from London Road, Northwich, took her children along for moral support when she went to collect her results.

She said: 'Achieving GCSE Maths has always been one of my demons - not anymore!'

Celene Gibbon also had her children with her when she celebrated a grade C in Maths.

'I am so pleased, I hoped I would pass as I needed this result for nursing,' said Celene, 34.

College principal John Reilly congratulated all the students and said many of the achievements resulted from part-time study, juggling work and family priorities.

'The A-C passes at Maths and English are vitally important to these students; they can mean the difference between gaining employment or being accepted at university,' he added.