A MATHS whizz is off to Oxford a year earlier than most students after achieving six A*s at A-level at the age of 17.

Jamie Barnes, of Knowsley Drive, Leigh, achieved the highest possible grade in all six of his A-level subjects, maths, further maths, statistics, French, economics and physics.

He also achieved a clean sweep of A*s in his 11 GCSE subjects, which he also took a year early after being fast-tracked due to his standout academic ability.

Jamie picked up his outstanding A-level results at Winstanley College in Orrell first thing this morning and is now looking forward to starting a four-year maths degree at Balliol College at the prestigious University of Oxford in October.

The former Lowton High School pupil, who juggled studying for his A-level exams with working part-time at a convenience store, said: "When I saw my results I had to check them again to see if they were really mine because I was not expecting to do anywhere near as well as I have done.

"My family are really pleased for me and we all went for lunch to celebrate.

"I also found out all my friends have got the results they needed to get into university, so I am very happy for them too."