After all the hard work, revision and stress, the waiting game is finally over for East Lancashire’s 15 and 16-year-olds.

And, despite the challenges faced in the education sector, there was much to be proud of.

Results day once again yielded some wonderful and inspiring stories from our schools and record grades for many.

Not everyone will have got what they hoped for but the results provide the opportunity to celebrate the hard work, commitment and achievement of the pupils and their teachers.

Standards have been maintained across the board, and improved upon in many cases, despite the tremendous pressure young people are under.

We must also recognise the hard work of the teachers, and the fact they have supported students to achieve these results.

Increases in English and maths attainment is exactly the news employers want to hear. Numeracy and literacy skills are vital for any path a young person may follow after secondary education.

Whether that next step is employment, college, sixth form or an apprenticeship, there are plenty of opportunities out there for young people to achieve exactly what they want.