TEARS of joy and smiles from ear to ear could be seen across Teignbridge yesterday as youngsters picked up their GCSE results.

Thousands of secondary school students grabbed their envelopes and ripped them open to see if their five years of studying and hard work paid off.

Many of them bagged fantastic grades and will be heading off to study A Levels, go to college or get an apprenticeship.

It was a success story for students all across the district who attained some impressive marks.

We will have a full round-up and lots of photos from the big day in tomorrow’s Mid-Devon Advertiser.