NERVES were frayed at Fareham College yesterday as students waited anxiously to collect their A-level results.

As they arrived at the college from 9.30am onwards, their hands were shaking as they collected the envelopes which contained the keys to their futures.

Some students did spectacularly well and could not take the smiles off their faces, while others had hoped for better results than those on the papers in front of them.

But overall the college had reason to be proud, with results revealing that students had passed nine out of ten examinations.

A total of 322 exams were passed out of a total of 357 taken, with almost half of all subjects seeing a 100 per cent pass rate.

Principal of the college Carl Groves said he was delighted with the results.

"We are very happy indeed," he said.

"We have had spectacular results in nine subjects where most students have achieved A to C passes.

"It is also very pleasing to note that we have a high number of students who are progressing on to university from vocational subjects."

Asked about his thoughts on the claims that A-levels are getting easier, Mr Groves added: "This is a debate that is held every single year. My own view is that staff and students are working harder and harder to achieve these results.

"A lot of students want to go to university and know they have to work hard to get there. I believe that is the source for the improvement."

Mr Groves's comments were echoed by 18-year-old student Sarah Brown, who achieved two B grades in media studies and a D in business.

"I think they need to come and see us working hard rather than just criticising us and saying the exams are getting easier," she said.

"They are not getting easier. More people are putting in the effort.

"My exams certainly weren't easy. They were hard and I worked hard for them."