A teenager who missed a year of school due to a rare illness has defied all odds and achieved 'outstanding' GCSE results.

Alice Bonning, 16, of Roding Valley High School in Alderton Hill, Loughton, said she was "ecstatic" when her certificate revealed she had achieved one A*, seven A's and three B's, despite missing three out of four terms in 2014.

The schoolgirl, who was diagnosed with Scoliosis; an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine aged four, had to undergo four operations on her back during the crucial school year.

Alice denied the opportunity to take the exams a year later than her classmates.

She said: "It was so stressful and painful.

"I have had a total of 20 operations in my life, four of which were last year.

"I remember having the operations and having so much work that I had to do to keep on track.

"I kept at it though and revised the entire time.

"Before I picked up my exams I was so worked up and kept thinking 'what if'.

"When I opened them I was ecstatic with what I had achieved.

"I am really proud of myself."

Alice is now set to join Davenant Foundation School in September where she will study A-Levels in English Literature, Psychology, Economics and Sociology.