Thousands of young people in Watford have been urged not to forget about apprenticeships in the wake of this week's A-level exam results.

Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said apprenticeships offer a great next step no matter what grades have been achieved.

She said in Watford, 2,820 young people have started an apprenticeship in the last four years and more are being created.

Mayor Thornhill said: "University is not the only way, all young people should have an opportunity to get on in life and apprenticeships are a great way to ensure that.

"Likewise next week when the GCSE results come out, Watford’s younger residents need to know that their next step doesn’t have to be A-Levels.

"Here in Watford apprenticeships have been a big success story.  Our local college has seen the numbers of people taking up apprenticeships increase significantly, especially in those over the age of 19.

"From the timeless classics like plumbing and heating, vehicle maintenance and business administration, to more niche sectors, like telecoms and digital telephony - apprenticeships create opportunities for students to pursue dynamic career opportunities locally."