THE latest secondary school league tables - published today - make good reading for many of Bolton's previously underperforming schools.

A number of schools have enjoyed a massive improvement in GCSE results, helping them to soar up the local league tables after staggering turnarounds.

One of the most improved schools is Withins in Breightmet, which came close to doubling its pass rate of children gaining five or more A* to C grades, including maths and English. In 2007, 25 per cent of pupils reached that target, up from 13 per cent the previous year.

Pupils and staff at Mount St Joseph School in Greenland Road, Farnworth, which is in one of the most deprived areas of Bolton, also have reason to celebrate.

The school rose from 18th of the borough's 22 secondary schools in 2006 to eighth this year.

A total of 42 per cent of pupils at the school achieved the required five or more A* to C grades, including maths and English - a rise from 29 per cent the previous year.

Headteacher Paul Roach said: "The school was delighted with last summer's examination results. They reflected the hard work, dedication and commitment of all staff and students."

Ladybridge School in Deane is bottom of the state schools in Bolton and is also placed in the bottom 200 schools in the country. Just 18 per cent of its pupils reached the required standard at GCSE.

The tables also show that, despite the successes, pupils in Bolton are falling short of the national average in GCSE results.

A total of 40.1 per cent of pupils in Bolton are gaining five or more GCSE qualifications at A* to C, including maths and English, and although that is an improvement on last year's 38 per cent, it is still well below the national average of 46.7 per cent.

Nevertheless, Bolton maintained its position as 111th out of England's 150 local authorities.

Margaret Asquith, director for Children's Services, said: "The school performance tables for GCSE results show that Bolton schools are making good progress "While Bolton schools still remain below the national average for attainment at GCSE, we celebrated our best results this year for the second year running and we are committed to improving attainment further."

Top of the table is Bolton School girls' division, with its near perfect pass rate of 99 per cent of pupils getting five or more A* to C grades, including maths and English.

Canon Slade School in Bradshaw maintained its position as the best state school in the borough with its pass rate of 80 per cent of pupils reaching the required standard.

Cllr Linda Thomas, executive member for Children's Services, said: "We celebrate the achievement of all of our young people across Bolton, whilst committing ourselves to continuing the progress that has been made and ensuring that standards continue to rise across the local authority."

Bury is placed 27, Wigan is placed 80 and Salford is at 127 in the national table of local authorities.

View the secondary school performance tables in full here.