A-level results 2010: A* grade boosts new exams record

It has been another record year for A-levels, with one in twelve exam papers being awarded the new A* grade.

But, despite that more than 180,000 students in England wales and Northern Ireland have failed to secure a place and are going through the clearing system.

Bristol, Exeter and Birmingham universities say they are already full and for the first time will not be part of the clearing process, underlining the problems they face.

Colette Hume reports.