Identical twins received straight As in the same subjects as thousands of students celebrated another record-breaking year of A-level results.

Rokhsana and Atoussa Saddighzadeh, 18, got top marks in maths, Spanish and French, from St Mary's Hall School in Brighton, which saw all of its students gain at least one A to E grade.

Rokhsana said: "We both worked really hard and were extremely nervous but we're very excited about the future now."

Rokhsana plans to read maths and science at Bristol University and Atoussa has a place at Leeds University to read Law and French.

Scores of schools and colleges across Sussex have reported their best ever pass rates.

Nationally 95.4 per cent of students gained at least one A to E grade, meaning the 21st consecutive increase in the pass rate.

Some employers have branded the results "meaningless" as the row over whether the exams are too easy flared up again.

A minority of headteachers attributed the high pass rate to more students taking so-called soft subjects, such as media studies rather than traditional options like maths.

But Sussex headteachers have united in defence of results.

Sussex Downs College saw 909 students sit A-levels at its Lewes campus and gained its best ever pass rate of 98 per cent.

Principal John Blake said: "I am extremely pleased for all the students who have worked so hard to achieve these excellent results."

Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC) in Dyke Road, Hove, also recorded its best results, with a pass rate of 95.5 per cent.

Of the 549 students sitting A-levels, 45 got three or more A grades, 68.5 per cent gained A to C grades and 100 per cent passed 21 of the 39 subjects.

Principal Chris Thomson said: "We expected these results because the new system allows pupils to drop their weaker subjects at AS-level, so they can concentrate on their best subjects at A-level.

"It is for that reason, I do not believe there has been a lowering of standards."

BHASVIC student Richard Baker, 18, of Lewes, got five As for maths, further maths, physics, history and law. He will go to Kings College, Cambridge.

He said: "I'm really pleased - we're going straight out to celebrate. It's rubbish that A levels are getting easier. I think anyone who says that should take them."

At least four students in Brighton and Hove gained results which put them in the top five in the country.

Among them was Joanna Hatt, 18, of Seaford, who gained an A in Dance from Sussex Downs.

Joanna, who also gained an A in Psychology and a B in Physical Education, said she was annoyed people referred to her subjects as "soft".

She said: "It was such a shock to find out I had got such good marks and quite overwhelming. People do tend to see dance as a soft subject, but I put so much hard work into it. There was practical and theory work involved and it was certainly not easy. I worked very hard."

Varndean Sixth Form College in Surrenden Road, Brighton, broke previous records, securing a 97.5 per cent pass rate.

Varndean student Rachel West, 18, is off to Jesus College, Oxford, to study bio-chemistry, after gaining four As and a B in biology, chemistry, English literature, history and music A levels and a C in AS maths.

She said: "I really enjoy all subjects, and am passionate about music, but I'm really a scientist at heart."

Brighton College in Eastern Road, also recorded record results with a 99.2 per cent pass rate. A grades were awarded to 44.3 per cent of students, an increase of ten per cent on last year.

Brighton College in Eastern Road, Brighton, also recorded record results with a 99.2 per cent pass rate. A grades were awarded to 44.3 per cent of students, an increase of ten per cent on last year.

Acting headmaster Simon Smith said: "Fantastic results. It is marvellous so many of our students will be going on to their university of first choice."

Mr Smith criticised recent calls by the Secondary Heads Association for university applications to be postponed until after results are known.

He said: "Waiting to apply for university places until after the results would be a mistake. It's a huge motivation for our students to have a real target to aim for, with a very tangible reward."

Elsewhere Roedean School in Roedean Way, Brighton, gained a pass rate of 99.4 per cent, Hove Park School in Nevill Road, Hove, gained 95 per cent and Cardinal Newman School in the Upper Drive, Hove, achieved 98 per cent.