THE number of teenagers scoring top grades in their GCSEs saw one of the biggest increases on record this year.

Nearly one in five - 19.1 per cent - of grades awarded were either As or A*s, a rise of 0.7 per cent on last year, and the second largest increase since the A* grade was introduced in 1994.

The proportion of exams awarded at least a grade C rose by 1.2 per cent to 62.4 per cent - the second-largest rise since 1992.

But improvements were slower in English and maths and the results showed a further dramatic fall in the popularity of French and German.

Overall, fewer than two per cent of scripts were failed this year, according to the results from the Joint Council for Qualifications, representing the exam boards.

Education Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The results are evidence of the continuing standards in our schools.

"I congratulate pupils and teachers for their hard work and commitment - they should be proud of their achievements.

"I particularly welcome the rise in the numbers achieving in GCSE English and maths."