MALVERN College is celebrating after 19 pupils were offered places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

It is the school's best performance in recent years.

Six of the 19 are from local families. They are: Joy Brewitt-Taylor of Malvern (economics, Selwyn College, Cambridge); Alice Howick of Castlemorton (music, Clare College, Cambridge); Colwyn Lim of Madresfield (archeology and anthropology, Christ's College Cambridge), Olivia Ide of West Malvern (oriental studies and middle eastern archeology, Downing College, Cambridge), David Ponting of West Malvern (natural sciences, Clare College, Cambridge), Gregory Swinford of West Malvern (choral scholarship, Selwyn College, Cambridge).

Martin Frayn, head of sixth form, said it was a great achievement given the increasing level of competition for Oxbridge places, not only from the maintained sector but also from overseas.

"They're world class institutions who are looking for the best students," he said. "For the college to get so many in for such a wide range of subjects is a cause for celebration."

Mr Frayn said that 13 of the 19 pupils were studying for an International Baccalaureate rather than A'levels.

Headmaster Hugh Carson said it was particularly pleasing that six of the successful Oxbridge candidates had been to the college's own prep school, Hillstone.