GIRLS are outperforming boys in English tests for 14-year-olds in schools across Hampshire.

Results are better than last year across the board but pupils in Southampton are still lagging behind the national average.

The Department for education and Skills yesterday announced the results three months late after problems with external examiners marking the scripts.

In Hampshire, pupils beat the national average by five percentage points, with 76 per cent of pupils achieving level five or above, with girls outperforming boys.

And 38 per cent of all pupils managed to reach the top end of the marking scale, achieving at least a level six out of a possible eight, with girls again coming out on top.

In Southampton's 14 secondary schools, the percentage of pupils achieving level five or more increased by two per cent, but the percentage of students achieving the very top marks remained the same at 25 per cent.

Hampshire's education boss, Councillor Don Allen, said: "It is always encouraging to see our standards rising. These successes are a testament to the dedication of pupils, parents, staff and governors and they should be congratulated for their efforts.

"Although Hampshire consistently achieves results above those nationally, we will continue to strive to improve our results year on year."

Rosemary Tong, Southampton City Council's head of learning services, said: "I am pleased to see there is an improvement in the total number of pupils achieving level five or above. We hope to build on these results."

Schools Standards Minister David Miliband said the marking arrangements for the scripts would be reviewed to make sure there is no delay next year.