“MY dad would be so proud of me,” said an emotional Anna Whitehead.

Her father Mr Darren Whitehead, a councillor for Hulton ward, sadly died last November and Anna admitted it has been a tough year.

But despite her grief, Anna, 18, didn’t give up and fully applied herself to her studies.

The result of her A-level efforts were a B for sociology, a B for English language and a C for law.

“It’s not what I expected at all – I thought I’d end up having to go through clearing,” said a delighted Anna, of Moorside Avenue, Smithills.

“My dad wanted this so much for me, he’d be so proud.”

Anjna is now preparing to begin a degree in criminology at Liverpool John Moores University.