IN THE controversy surrounding the new A* grade and lack of university places, the importance of A-level results day threatened to be overshadowed.

But as Lincolnshire's hopeful students came out of their schools and colleges, clutching envelopes, crying and jumping the political wrangling that has surrounded this year's exams seemed forgotten.

With a predicted 180,000 young minds having to fight for a place through clearing centres, there was relief for those who got the grades.

Emily Roach, of Lincoln Christ's Hospital School, was overjoyed to have her place at the University of Hull confirmed.

She said: "I'm so happy. I can start buying things for my room at university now. I didn't dare before because I didn't want to risk it."

Overall, pupils at Lincoln Christ's Hospital had a 98 per cent pass rate, with 60 per cent of pupils getting A* to C grades.

And at Branston Community College every pupil got the qualifications they needed to go on to university.

Although A* grades are coming under scrutiny because of fears private schools would get a disproportionate number, it did not dampen county students' achievements.

Steven Sheppard from Yarborough School got an A* in maths.

He said: "I'm really pleased with the result. I didn't realise you could get an A* this year.

"I'm hopefully going to the University of Leicester to do a maths degree."

Emma Troop, 18, goes to North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form and achieved four A* grades in French, Russian, English and History.

Emma, who is going to Cambridge after her gap year, said: "I worked really hard to get my grades and it's insulting when people who haven't taken any exams for years claim that A-levels are easy.

"I don't think exams are getting easier, I just think people are better prepared for them."

Overall, North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form pupils were praised for their 98 per cent pass rate.

Thirty seven per cent of students at Yarborough School achieved three or more A-levels at A to C grades and every student got at least one qualification, with an overall pass rate of 98 per cent.

Joanne Hadley and Catherine Haw, from Yarborough School, are both heading to the University of Lincoln.

Catherine said: "We are going together so I'm excited about that, one of our best friends is going to Sheffield though.

"I just hope everyone got in where they wanted to go."

St Peter and St Paul's High School, which enjoyed a 100 per cent pass rate, was also celebrating the success of 13-year-old Liam Young who managed to get a grade C in AS-level law.

For the tenth year running, Caistor Grammar School managed to get a 100 per cent pass rate with 20 per cent at A* while Lincoln College had a 96 per cent pass rate with 13 subjects getting 100 per cent success.

However, there were a few reminders of the problems this year's A-level students could be facing.

Amy Gregory Jones, 18, who goes to Lincoln Christ's Hospital School has not got a place to study medicine despite gaining five A-Levels.

She said: "I applied to do medicine and got an interview, but haven't got a place. I'm going to carry on trying for medicine. I've always wanted to do it and I have worked so hard. I don't think people should lower their expectations just because of a lack of places - I won't be."

Lincolnshire has scored an overall A to E grade pass rate of 98.1 per cent for A-level qualifications, which is above the national average. Half of the schools with sixth forms have further improved their pass rates since last year.

Nationally, pass rates are up again for the 28th year and now stand at 97.6 per cent.