Young mum Catherine Barnes is over the moon to have achieved 10 GCSEs - despite giving birth half way through her exams.

The Ysgol Gyfun Cymer pupil was overjoyed with her eight Cs and an E.

She had already achieved an A in computers last year.

The 16-year-old mum to two-month-old Harvey said: 'I'm really pleased. I was so nervous in the morning. I went to the school with my friends and when I walked in the room and saw all the results on the table, I started shaking.

'I'm just glad it's over now and I can start thinking about going to college.'

Catherine, of Taff Street, Treherbert, has been through a tough year after discovering she was pregnant last September.

She has had to juggle studies with morning sickness and missed two exams after she went into labour halfway through the exam period.

But despite being exhausted after giving birth to Harvey, who was born weighing a healthy 6lb 10oz, Catherine was determined to sit the rest of her exams, which she had been working hard for, all year.

Her mum Sian Barnes said she was extremely proud.

'It's amazing news,' she said.