A-level success for siblings who fled from the Taliban

Four siblings who fled Afghanistan are celebrating after gaining a string of top grades.

The brother and three sisters, arrived in the UK in 2007 hoping for a better education and brighter future. Abdul Wasi Siddique, 24, who is studying at Uxbridge College in west London alongside his sisters, said: "It has not been easy for us. We could not speak English when we came to the UK … I enrolled myself in an English language course."

Mr Siddique has gained As in maths, biology and chemistry and a B in physics. He wanted to study medicine at Imperial College but did not receive an offer. But he is happy for his sisters Tuba, Sheela and Deeba, who all received the grades they were hoping for.

Fellow Uxbridge student Emre Dincer, from Turkey, was awarded A grades in maths and further maths and a C in physics after learning English by watching cartoons and US television shows.