Released on Thursday, the results were eagerly-awaited by many students relying on good grades to win a place at their chosen university.

Ruth Wilson's three A grades have secured her a place at Cambridge University to read social and political sciences.

The 18-year-old, from Hutton Cranswick, disputed the annual accusations that exam papers were becoming easier. She said: "They should try and sit them themselves, then we will see if they still tell us they are getting easier."

She will be joined at Cambridge by classmate Vicky Clark who will study geography.

History students, Connie Walker, Tom Ullyott and Kendal Sleigh, came up trumps after a long slog to prepare for the final exams, which were taken in May and June.

The three straight-A students have given their thanks to the tenacity of the teachers to get them through the exams.

Connie Walker, 18, of Wilfholme, who will read English Literature at Durham University, said: "It's due to sweat and blood that we got these and I think most people would like to give credit to the teachers who would not let us burn our text books and made us work."

Eighteen-year-old Tom, from Middleton-on-the-Wolds, wants to read geography at Manchester University and Kendal, of Kelk, will go to Newcastle to study accounting and finance.

Next year will see the introduction of a new A* grade, which is already used to grade GCSE papers of the highest quality.

Matthew Cundall, 18, of Hutton, said the new grade could be useful for students who achieve highly in all subjects to choose what to study at university.

Matthew, who gained four A levels at grade A, will go on to study English at Leeds. He said: "It will split the A grades which is a wide band at the moment. It will also allow you to work out better what you would like to do next."

Also achieving four A grades was Joshua Dallos, of Driffield, who plans to read psychology at York University.

The National Union of Students has expressed concern over the plans for A* grades and about the accusations that exams are getting easier.

Wes Streeting, president of the NUS, said: "Those who continue to devalue the achievements of A level students repeatedly fail to recognise that the year-on-year rise in standards has come about because of hard work on the part of the students and their teachers. We should therefore celebrate the educational achievements of students up and down the country."

He added: "We are concerned that the introduction of an A* grade for next years' A levels could tighten the already firm grip of the top state, grammar and independent schools on university places, as these institutions are likely to have better resources to coach their pupils. This could undermine attempts to attract more pupils from lower performing schools in poorer areas."