WHEN it comes to education these two schoolgirls are in a class of their own.

On their final day at Queen Mary School in Lytham before GCSE study leave Jan Mitchell and Alice Darbyshire, both 16, have had only half a day off between them in five years.

And the duo could even extend their records to seven years if they decide to stay on and take their A-levels at the school.

Headmistress Shirley Piggott was amazed to unearth their achievement. She said: "I was sitting in bed last week at 6.30am listening to the news and they were talking about a boy who had not had a day's absence while at school.

"That prompted me to have a look at our own school records - and there they were with this astonishing record."

But Jan, who had half a day off for her grandmother's funeral, can't see what all the fuss is about. The level-headed pupil said: "You've just got to get on with it really.

"I really enjoy school though. You get to see all your friends and if you miss a day it's not worth it with all the work you have to catch up on.

"My mum wouldn't let me take a day off. She's not strict or anything but she'd know if I was trying it on. In any case I only seem to be ill in the school holidays."

Both agreed their education was important to them and are already looking to future.

Alice, from St Annes, fancies studying Law at university. She said: "You need good grades to do the subjects that I want to do and it's important for me to do well in school."

Jan, from West Park, Lytham, agreed: "I don't want to get behind with my work. We're just coming up to our GCSEs so if you miss a day you could miss a whole topic and put loads of pressure on yourselves."

Alice (left) and Jan (centre) are seen pictured being presented with Outstanding 100 per cent Attendance certificates by Shirley Piggott.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.