A WIDNES schoolgirl has achieved the highest mark nationally in her geography exam.

Eleanor Oulton has received an excellence award from the Royal Geographical Society for her outstanding performance.

The 16-year-old has been honoured alongside the top scoring students in geography exams last year.

Eleanor, from Upton Rocks, who achieved 11A*s, the best results at Wade Deacon, said: "I am thrilled to receive this award and I really appreciate my achievement being recognised.

“It just shows that all my hard work paid off. 

“Not only did I find Geography to be incredibly interesting but it also allowed me to develop a wide range of skills that will help me in the future."

Eleanor is now studying biology, chemistry, maths and French A Levels at Carmel College.

The excellence awards recognise and celebrate the hard work and success of pupils who achieve the highest marks in the GCSE, IGCSE, Certificate in Geography, A Level, International Baccalaureate and Pre-U geography examinations each year.

Students from schools across England, Northern Ireland and Wales are eligible for the awards.

They each receive a cash prize and a certificate.

Eleanor was the only student in Cheshire to be reach the top marks.

Steve Brace, the society’s head of education and outdoor learning, said: “The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers is delighted to recognise the hard work and success of those pupils who achieved the highest marks nationally in the 2016 geography examinations.

“The pupils receiving these awards have all demonstrated their excellent understanding of geography as a subject and how it can inform us about the world we live in.

“Their exceptional marks reflect both their ability as geographers and the high quality teaching that takes place in their schools.”