Education chiefs have hailed an improvement in Norfolk's A-level results.

According to provisional data collected by the county council, 75pc of A-level entries were graded at A*-C, a three percentage point increase on last year's 72pc.

The council said the average point score per student, which is the measure used in national performance tables, increased by three points, from 762 on results day last year, to 765 this year.

The provisional figures do not include Norfolk's further education and sixth form colleges or independent schools. These results, and national comparisons, are not published until October.

If confirmed, the A-level results will be the second boost for education in the county this week, following yesterday's Ofsted judgement that the council's support for school improvement was 'effective'.

James Joyce, chairman of the Children's Services Committee, said: 'The young people collecting their results today should be really proud of what they have achieved and I would like to congratulate all those celebrating their A-level, AS-level and vocational results.

'These results are down to the commitment of students, school leaders, teachers and parents and everyone deserves credit for the part they have played.

'Improving attainment levels has been a huge priority for us and it is fantastic to see performance in Norfolk's schools moving in the right direction.

'Our latest Ofsted report gives us assurance that we have the right strategy in place to support education improvement.

'It is beginning to have an impact but we know we are not there yet – we want every student in the county to be achieving their potential. Overall the picture is of improvement in the majority of sixth forms in the county but we are already scrutinising these early results to see where more support and challenge may be needed in the year ahead.'

Students that need to know what to do next can visit the students' area of the UCAS website at www.ucas.com.

Information and advice on employment and further education course options in Norfolk is available at www.helpyouchoose.org, or via the County Council's helpline on 0344 800 8022 (from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays).

Advice for students is also available directly from schools and colleges.