Sharing in the success of Wrexham's GCSE results are a small group of 16 year olds who are looked after by Wrexham Council.

Their results are in subjects ranging from English to Engineering and are sometimes gained in very difficult circumstances.

Particularly pleasing was an A* performance in performing arts gained by one talented youngster.

Their plans for the future include staying on at school, catering and hairdressing courses at Yale College, one has hopes of a modern apprenticeship with Wrexham Council and a career in the army beckons for another.

All will continue to be guided by a multi-agency team to continue their education.

Nationally, only 25 per cent of young people leaving care gain any sort of qualification but Wrexham has beaten this trend for the past two years by achieving a rate of 90 per cent.

Bob MacLaren, Wrexham Council's Chief Safeguarding and Support Officer, said: "I am very pleased and proud that our looked-after children are achieving as well as other pupils."

Terry Garner, Strategic Director for Children and Young People, said: "This is excellent news and I congratulate pupils, staff and carers who have all worked together to ensure this important group of children can look forward to a bright future."

Wrexham's looked-after children are given a high priority by the authority and a Corporate Parenting Panel meets regularly and receives regular updates on their children's progress.