TEAMWORK is the key to success according to the headteacher of Hollins High School, Accrington.

Speaking at the school's speech night yesterday, Mr Frank Havard praised the achievements and progress of the school's pupils.

He told parents, pupils and staff that it gave him great pride to repeat that once again the school's GCSE results were their best ever.

He said that over the last 10 years the number of pupils achieving five A*-C grades had doubled and had this year broken the 40 per cent barrier to reach 44 per cent.

Mr Havard not only praised the efforts of pupils and staff in academic work, but also in sport, vocational work and attitudes to achievement.

He said: "To top these results will be a difficult task. But I believe that the school, its staff and governors and most important of all, its students, are well prepared, and will do their utmost to repeat the high levels of success."

Picture: Prizewinners Nadeen Shahi and Cara Bell with, from the left, Hyndburn deputy mayoress Lesley Jackson, deputy mayor Coun Dave Parkin, guest speaker Eileen Scott and head Frank Havard