A TALENTED student is off to Cambridge University next month after making the grade in her A-levels.

Maheen Behrana was accepted to study English at the prestigious institution earlier this year on the condition that her exam results were good enough on Thursday.

When that magic e mail came through, it was great news for the 18-year-old Bury Grammar School for Girls student, as she achieved A*s in English, history and Latin and an A in maths.

Maheen, of Norden in Rochdale, said: "It was a fairly sleepless night.

"All my friends were awake throughout the night and talking on Facebook because we were all so nervous.

"I was so relieved to get those results. My family were too. They knew how I was feeling.

"I felt because, for Cambridge, I'd got past the interview stage, it was something I'd put so much work and effort into and I wanted it to much.

"To pass that stage was wonderful but to fall at the final hurdle would have been soul-destroying.

"I am really nervous about moving away but I'm so excited now. I have my heart set on Cambridge."

Another Bury Grammar student who did well in her exams was Olivia Speakman.

The 18-year-old, of Littleborough, is set to study experimental psychology at Oxford University after getting an A* in psychology, and As in history, religious studies and politics.

Olivia said: "I was up at 5.30am as I wanted to be ready for the e mail to come through.

"It was quite daunting and I didn't know what to expect, but I didn't expect the results that I got."

She added: "Exam time is very tough and it's definitely a lot to deal with. You learn a lot of skills that will benefit us at university.

"For Oxford, I had to sit an exam and do an interview. When you start the process, it's hard to imagine yourself there but the more you go along, the more you can picture it and think 'maybe I could actually be here'.

"I'm really excited about getting started on my course.

"I don't think I could have got through the past through months without the support of my friends and family."