EAST Lancashire students are set to be able to get their A-level and GCSE results online next year after a successful pilot scheme.

Yesterday exam board Edexcel trialled an online service allowing 200 students from the West Midlands and West London to access their A-levels via the internet.

Each student was given a unique password and user identification and could access their A-levels online from 6.30am.

And an Edexcel spokeswoman confirmed that, following positive feedback the scheme and a similar pilot GCSE scheme being launched next week, the scheme was likely be available across the UK next year.

She said: "It was the first time we did it on Thursday morning so obviously feedback has been limited but the feedback we have received has been really positive and we intend to roll it out nationally next year.

"The idea behind the scheme is to relieve the pressure on schools and colleges and to ensure students who do need to go into schools to discuss their career options have the chance. Also some pupils don't wish to open their results at the same time as hundreds of other people.

"This scheme means they can get their results with their family in their own private environment."

Around 1,500 students mainly from the Birmingham area are taking part in the GCSE pilot.

A further 350 GCSE maths students again from Birmingham schools will have access to a more detailed version, which will include scores for each part of each question, model answers and their strengths and weaknesses in the subject.