East Lancashire teenagers are celebrating another record-breaking A-level results day today.

Overall pass rates were up at college and sixth form centres in East Lancashire compared to last year with many institutions securing 98, 99 and even 100 per cent.

Nationally, results had improved for the 29th year in a row results with students in the North West gaining 12 per cent of all the A* grades awarded.

But those who did not achieve their predicted results are facing a scramble for a university place through the clearing system.

Competition for higher education places is fierce as many students are trying to secure a place before the fees hike next year.

Blackburn College had its best ever results as 99 per cent of student gained passes as did Burnley's Thomas Whitham Sixth Form at 98 per cent.

Blackburn's St Mary’s College was at 99.5 per cent, which included 55 A*s.

Nelson and Colne College Sixth Form secured 99.6 per cent with 55 students achieving two or more A*/A grades.

Blackburn's St Wilfrid’s CofE Academy Sixth Form gained over 97 per cent.

Westholme School and Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, both in Blackburn, secured 100 per cent pass rates.

At Burnley College the number of students attaining A* grades at A Level tripled since last year and 99.7 per cent gained passes.

Across the country this year, the pass rate rose for the 29th year in a row, with 97.8% of A-level entries receiving at least an E - up from 97.6% last summer.

More than one in four (27%) exams achieved at least an A, the same percentage as in 2010.

Those who did not achieve their predicted grades face a battle for university places as competition is fierce to secure a place before the fees hike next year.

Applications for university places have risen by 40% this year as would-be students aim to start now rather than pay up to three times as much from 2012.

Many institutions are already full up, with places that are available through the clearing process expected to be snapped up quickly.

Despite the scarcity of places, those who miss their A-level grades are being urged not to panic into signing up for a course that is wrong for them.

Click on the links below for results and stories from all of East Lancashire's sixth forms and colleges and our photo gallery of A-Level students.