TALENTED art students in the Bromsgrove area have been praised for achieving "exceptional" grades in exams.

Pupils at North Bromsgrove High, South Bromsgrove High and Waseley Hills High Schools have contributed to a 13 per cent rise in A* to C grades in art and design GCSE in the county.

Education officers described the results as "exceptional," exceeding in one year Worcestershire County Council's target of a 12 per cent increase over three years.

The proportion of A* to C grades has now risen from 50 per cent three years ago to 65.9 per cent.

Portfolio holder for education and lifelong learning, Cllr Dan Wicksteed (Lab, Worcester St Clement), said: "These impressive figures are a credit to the talent of the county's schoolchildren, and are a fine indication of the commitment and ability of our dedicated schoolteachers."

Deputy head of North Bromsgrove High School, Gillian Bulch, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the progress students have made in the last few years."