Consultants from Connect South West – the impartial careers education, information, advice and guidance service for 13 to 19-year-olds – were available at centres in Bridgwater, Frome, Wells, Taunton and Yeovil, to help students plan their next move last Tuesday.

And information advice and guidance is now easier than ever for students receiving their results to access via Moving On Moving Up, Somerset's Area Prospectus – an online guide to all the courses available in schools and colleges across the county.

Mark Morris, area prospectus project manager said: "The 14-to-19 area prospectus gives comprehensive information on all education and learning opportunities in Somerset and much more.

"Young people receiving their GCSE results, and their parents, can access information on courses in sixth forms, colleges, and apprenticeships 24 hours a day.

"Young people, and their parents, can access the website by clicking on www.movingonmovingup.co.uk.

"They can also speak to one of our advisers, no matter where they are in the world, via adviser online – our online careers education, information, advice and guidance service at www.connexions-somerset.org.uk/adviseronline."

Centres in Taunton, Bridgwater, Yeovil and Wells will also be open late until 6.30pm on results day as well as every Tuesday evening.

And for those unable to get into one of the centres, there is an out-of-hours telephone helpline 080 800 13 2 19 or they can text 077664 13 2 19 or visit www.connexions-direct.com

Connect South West Chief Executive, Rachel Bendall said: "Our message is a simple one: Don't panic – there are options, whatever the scenario may be. We have access to up-to-date information about all the possible options open to young people."