GCSE results in north Hampshire have continued to improve, as this year's pupils beat the national average - producing some of the borough's best results for three years.

A report by the Department for education and Skills (DfES) and information from Hampshire County Council, released last week, revealed that 93.6 per cent of the borough's pupils gained five or more A* to G grades, including English and maths.

The figure was more than five per cent higher than the national average of 88.4 per cent.

More than 55 per cent also gained five or more A* to C grades, in comparison with the national average of 53.4 per cent, and previous local figures of 52.1 per cent last year.

County-wide figures showed 58 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C grades, which was one per cent higher than last year's figures and five per cent above the national average.

County councillor Don Allen, the executive member for education, said: "I am obviously pleased to see the borough's results are better than the national average.

"Basingstoke youngsters are doing reasonably well, but there are still bags of opportunity for them to do better, I make no bones about that. The figure for five A* to G grades is very important. It's a great result.

"It really does illustrate that Basingstoke schools, in common with Hampshire, do make every effort to make sure all children are given the opportunity and are encouraged to do their best.

"We don't just concentrate on those getting five A* to C grades."

Borough councillor Paul Harvey, the Cabinet member for employment, learning and skills, said: "I am really pleased for the schools and pupils who put in so much hard work.

"But it's not just about standards and results, it's about the whole education experience.

"All in all it's great news - but there's always more we can do."

The DfES report also stated that pupils attending specialist schools performed better than those at non-specialist schools.

It said that 56.9 per cent of pupils at specialist schools achieved five or more A* to Cs at GCSE/GNVQ in 2004, compared with 47.7 per cent of pupils in non-specialist schools.

Of the borough's 12 secondary schools, nine already have specialist status and one other is working towards its application.

However, Cllr Allen said: "There is a bit of wishful thinking that goes on at DfES level in the belief that specialist status is a great improver of standards.

"I am in favour of specialisms in terms of providing more resources, but I think it is a flawed programme for a largely rural county like Hampshire, where there is often only one school children can attend."