Schools in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire were celebrating some of the best results in Wales on Thursday.

Pupils in the three counties have achieved an overall A level pass rate in the high 90s, which puts them above the Welsh national average.

The overall Pembrokeshire A level pass rate has increased to an outstanding 99.5%, compared with the Welsh national average of 96.9%, with 29.4% of pupils gaining an A grade. 68% of pupils gained grades A-C. The AS level pass rate was 94%.

Cllr Islwyn Howells, Cabinet member for children, young people and Welsh language, said: "I would like to congratulate this year's students who have worked extremely hard to achieve these excellent results.

In Ceredigion the pass rate was 97.2%, with 30.2% of exam entries achieving the top A grades, and 77.5% gaining grades A-C.

Cllr Emlyn Thomas, cabinet member with responsibility for education said: "Pupils and teachers have obviously been highly motivated, hard-working and have shown that they possess a great blend of talents, skills and positive attitudes.

Ysgol y Preseli Headteacher Martin Lloyd was delighted with an overall pass rate of 99.2%. Only one paper was failed out of the 118 sat, and 89.1% of pupils gained grades A-C, with 23% achieving the top A grades.

Individuals who were awarded top marks included Ceri Ash, Meleri Thomas, Gwen Davies, Toby Davies, Donna Jenkins, Tamsyn Rilstone and Megan Rose Williams.

At Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn five pupils gained straight A's in their A levels. They were Joe Brooke, Isobel Lawrence, John Newman, Annie Sheen and Nicholas Stebbings.

Some of the best performances at AS level were by Joshua Cooke, Alex D'Acri, Cerys Evans, Jennifer Evans, Angus Ferraro, Fran Hannaford, James Harrison, Abigail Humphreys, Holly O'Connell, Isobel Smathers and Holly Willmott.

Headteacher Ian McCloy said: "Another very impressive set of results reflecting the hard work of pupils and staff.

Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi secured an overall pass rate of 95.2% for traditional and vocational A level courses.

Tim Cooper and Rhodri Owen achieved four A grades in the three sciences and mathematics, both plan to follow a chemistry degree course in September.

Headteacher Gwynfor Griffiths said: "All the Year 13 students deserve congratulations on their successes. The staff of the school wish them every success in their future careers, wherever they may be."

Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron also celebrated another excellent set of A level results.

A total of 59 % of the 61 candidates achieved A/B grades, and 78.5% of the pupils gained A-C grades.

A third of all the grades were A grades, and the overall pass rate was 98.8%.

Headteacher Marina James said that the efforts and high expectations of both pupils and staff should be praised.

Top achievers included nine pupils who gained at least three A grades each. Head Girl Catrin Jones and James Kennedy received four A grades.

Other high performers included Amy Allen, Nia Meyl Jones, Shiri Keeble, Carmen Nasr, Rachel Rees, Lucy Wood and Dawn Worrall.

Ysgol Bro Gwaun Headteacher Christine Wright congratulated Year 13 pupils on their excellent results across a wide range of subjects, and thanked parents and guardians for their support over the years.

The following nine pupils achieved three or more A grades at A level: Rhiannon Evans, who gained four A grades, Huw Williams, Katy Hall, Colette Griffiths, Emily Johnson, Phillip Morris, Sophie Davies, Luke Raikes and Luke Raymond.

Pembrokeshire College saw some excellent results, with 69% of grades achieved in the A-C category, and 21% gaining the top A grade.

There were also 100% pass rates for several subjects including English and Maths.

This year saw the first Welsh Baccalaureate students complete their studies, 91% passed the advanced level, which is equivalent to an A grade at A level.

Pupils at Ysgol Dyffryn Teifi, Llandysul sitting the new vocational VCE and the traditional A level subjects, have achieved a perfect pass rate of 100%, with 86% achieving the top A to C grades.

Head boy Aled ap Neill from Saron, gained four As, and head girl Catrin Davies of Adpar is celebrating three As and an A grade at AS level.

Rhodri Bevan of Ffostrasol also achieved straight As.

Head teacher Dorian Williams, who is leaving the school at the end of the 2005-6 academic year, said: "Today has been a day of well deserved achievement for pupils, staff, governors and parents, especially as pupils of all abilities have been given an opportunity.

"It is particularly gratifying to have A and C grades awarded to an individual who achieved only three passes at GCSE two years ago. This is true progress in education.