Lorpu Flomo, 21, who now lives in Lumbertubs, achieved three A-level passes and is on her way to university after gaining grades B, C and D in her three exams.

She was one of many college students praised by teaching staff for achieving 100 per cent pass rates in 15 A-level subjects, including Economics, Philosophy, Physics, Art, Geography and Media.

Almost 700 A2 exams and over 1,000 AS exams were sat at sites in Daventry and Northampton, making Northampton College the biggest A-level provider in the area.

Miss Flomo, having come from a country at war, found it difficult to settle in Northampton, especially as English was not her first language.

She started at the college on the English for Speakers of Other Languages course and progressed to a GNVQ in Business and then a BTEC First in Business before getting her A-levels.

She said: "I am very pleased. I have worked my way up through college and will continue to study after university on the ACCA course. I want to become a financial accountant."

Tutor Lesley Ward said: "I am very proud of Lorpu. She showed real dedication from the start and her efforts have paid off.

"Her story is inspirational, I know she will continue to do incredibly well."

Don't miss the eight-page special A-level supplement in the Chronicle & Echo on Friday - and if you've got an A-level story to tell click here to email the Chron