GCSEs: 'We've matched our best results' - Huw Lewis

Two thirds of Welsh pupils who took GCSEs got A* to C grades, according to this year's exam results.

This is the same outcome as in 2014, although slightly fewer students got the very top grades.

A total of 19.2% passes were A* and A grades - a drop of 0.2%.

An improvement in performance in the north east of England (67.2%) has seen the region overtake Wales (66%) in terms of A* to C grades.

Education Minister Huw Lewis said the results showed another strong performance.

But Wales failed to close the performance gap with England and opposition parties said it was a "reality" check for the Welsh government.

In July, Mr Lewis told AMs that with the gap between Wales and England just 1.4% in core subjects it was "quite conceivable" that Wales would overtake England.

He spoke to BBC Wales Education Correspondent Arwyn Jones at Blackwood Comprehensive, which was enjoying its best results.