Cromer Academy student Brett Donaldson celebrated an excellent set of GCSE results despite missing seven months of school in the last two years because of ill health.

The 16-year-old has cystic fibrosis and suffered prolonged and painful episodes when his illness was at its worst but still managed to achieve two A and five B GCSEs. He now hopes to go on to college and university to achieve his dream of becoming a computer animator.

Brett, whose condition affects his digestion causing intense stomach pain, said: 'I missed most of year 10 from being ill. Normally when my condition plays up it gets to the point where I can't actually do anything. I can't concentrate on anything for longer than about half an hour and I can't stay still.

'The school offered me a chance to drop several subjects to catch up on the ones I needed to have. They were incredibly supportive and really made a difference. I am really happy with my results.'

Brett's mum Jennifer Turner said her son had been in so much pain he had often been unable to stand or sit up. She added: 'The school was fantastic. I thought they had dealt with something similar before because they handled it so well but actually they hadn't.

'There was no stress, which is helpful because the illness is stressful enough.'