The twin sisters will study the same degree subject at Liverpool

The 18-year-olds from Wrexham both got three grades As in chemistry, biology and mathematics at Yale College.

They are now going to do a maths degree at Liverpool University

Meanwhile, Cardiff twins William and Robert Cheyne, 18, are to study French at university after each picked up four A grades at Whitchurch High School.

William got As in English literature, history, politics and French, while Robert's were in French, German, politics and combined English literature and language.

Although both will study at Durham University, they will be at different colleges.

William will study French with Italian, while Robert will do French and German.

William said: "We do help each other, particularly in French, and we do compete with each other.

"Healthy competition - we've always had that and I think that's what has helped us get the grades.

"We found out this morning so we are really relieved now because there has been so much waiting."

Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls predict a 100% pass rate

Among students collecting results at Coleg Gwent in Pontypool was Granville Harris, aged 74.

He has made a hobby of collecting A-levels in his retirement to stave off boredom.

This year, former engineer instructor Mr Harris, from Cwmbran, got a B in history to add to the C in geography, A in photography, C in sociology and D in ceramics he has picked up since retiring in 1989.

He said: "I think I was a late developer. My intelligence seems to have accrued after I retired."

'Brilliant girl'

Hannah Mills, 18, had to be told her results by phone - she is competing in the European junior sailing championships in Portugal.

The pupil at Howell's School, Cardiff, got As in geography and maths and a B in physics.

In 2002, Hannah became the first girl to win a national championship in the Optimist dinghy class and became girls' world champion in 2003.

Howell's head Jane Fitz said: "She basically goes away most weekends and holidays and has to do her studies around that. There's quite a lot of travelling.

"She's a brilliant, brilliant girl."

Another water sports champion celebrating his exam results was Tom Lucy, world junior rowing champion.

The 18-year-old got Bs in geography, chemistry and physics, fitting his studies at Monmouth School around daily training sessions on the River Wye.