WORCESTERSHIRE A-level students have recorded some spectacularly good results in their exams. The pass rates for most of our schools and colleges exceeded 98 per cent.

The county’s hard-working teenagers deserve congratulations for their success. Now is not the time for questioning the merits of the exams – it is for saying well done to all those who were awarded high grades.

The real issue for far too many students is not whether A-levels are easier or harder than in years gone by but whether their grades are good enough to get them into university.

It is estimated that about 200,000 teenagers will miss out on university places – even if they have the required grades – because of massive public spending cuts.

Imagine the frustration at fulfilling your potential with your exam performance only to be told even that is not good enough.

As we said yesterday in this column when debating the growing number of young people out of work or education, the nation risks creating a wasted generation.

We hope the vast majority of A-level students in Worcestershire have secured their desired university place.

For those who have missed out we hope they find places through the clearing process.

Most of all, we hope government and universities work together to ensure fantastic pass rates do not go hand in hand with a tragic waste of talent.