LIFE proved sweet for 16-year-olds across the region with students again achieving some remarkable results.

And none more so than at Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School where the number 13 proved anything but unlucky.

For 13 GCSE students achieved a grade A* or A in all the subjects they sat this year with three - Navnit Makaram from Whinney Lane, Mellor, Dilani Perera from Borrowdale Close, Burnley and Thomas Pilkington, from Back Lane, Baxendale - recording A* grades in every one of the 10 subjects they took.

And Navnit had extra reason to punch the air as he was also ranked among country's top performers in maths.

His results matched the best five marks in the country according to exam board AQA.

Other high-flyers included 16-year-old Francesca Brindle from Burnley Road, Bacup, who got a staggering 12 A* grades.

The Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil was one of six students at the school achieving nine or more A* grades and took her dad, Stephen, 52, along with her to calm her nerves when opening her results.

She said: "I am very surprised about it but I suppose I have put a lot of effort in and done a lot of revision.

"My dad came with me and we found my mum from the school. They are both really pleased."

The proud pupil is eyeing a career in languages and will stay on at the school to take A-levels in French, German and Spanish.

St Hilda's RC High School, Burnley, was home to a fab four who each achieved 11 grades at A* or A.

The four were Laura Wood, from Hambledon View, Burnley, Eli Santos from Lomax Close, Great Harwood, Frances Hephrun from Glen View Road, Burnley, and Rachel Parry from Fir Trees Lane, Higham.

Headteacher Bernadette Bleasdale said: "I am delighted at what they've achieved, they have worked very hard and are all very dedicated pupils."

Other Burnley schools also had their fair share of success.

At the town's Habergham High School three pupils - Mahaz Kayani, Sarah Matthews and Rebecca Nutter got 11 A* or As.

Amelia Fisher from Hough Clough Lane, Chipping, and Angharad Lewis from Samlesbury, who attend Westholme School, Blackburn, enjoyed two triumphant Thursday mornings in succession.

The two Year 11 students struck gold with fantastic GCSE results - each gaining nine grades at A or A* and a B.

But despite their age and the stress of taking 10 GCSEs the girls also took music A-level with the gifted musicians getting an A and B respectively.

Principal Lilian Croston said: "Amelia and Angharad have achieved amazing grades and to sit A-level music at such a young age is testament to their musical ability and maturity."

Other success stories at the school saw Jessica Cherry, of Dunscar, near Bolton, and Emma Taylor from Willow Drive, Barrow, near Clitheroe, achieved among the top five marks in the UK for French and home economics respectively.