Data analyst, 42, finally gets maths GCSE

Mr Coles was "overwhelmed" after opening his results

A 42-year-old data analyst has said he is "over the moon" after finally getting his maths GCSE.

Mike Coles picked up his exam result from City of Portsmouth College, more than 20 years after failing it the first time.

He joined hundreds of thousands of teenagers getting GCSE, BTec Tech Awards and other Level 2 results across England, Wales and NI.

When asked how he became a data analyst without a maths GCSE, he said it was down to "modern technology".

"A lot of the systems I use do it for me," he told the BBC.

Mr Coles made the decision to re-take the exam last year.

"After college, where I didn't quite pass the first time, I went into cheffing for about eight years," he said.

"I then went into a more office-based role and progressed through the levels from there."

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On opening his results, Mr Coles said he had been "completely overwhelmed".

His next goal is to pass his English GCSE, and he also hopes to continue into further education.

"After that I'd like to go on to A-Levels and then a degree, potentially in something similar to computer science," he added.

Giving a message to others receiving their exam results, he said: "You can always re-take if you don't pass... and if I can do it, you can do it."

Hampshire County Council has launched a helpline for anyone with concerns about their GCSE results.