STUDENTS who took their A-levels in the summer will find out their results on Thursday.

It can be an anxious time for those who do not get the grades they hoped for.

But the message from Newport's university is not to worry because there still could be a university place available.

"If you get the results you need, great," said Sandra Veasey, schools and colleges liaison officer at the University of Wales, Newport.

"But if you haven't, or are undecided about your future, don't despair - Clearing is there to help you."

This is a UCAS service tat helps people who have not got an offer of a university or college place to find a suitable vacancy.

She explained that UCAS had also introduced an "adjustment procedure" for students who get better results than expected and have a conditional firm offer from a university.

Once registered with UCAS, they have five days to reconsider and possibly secure an alternative course.

Clearing, which starts on results day, helps to find places for about 40,000 people every year.

Richard Sadler was one of those assisted last year and is now studying for a degree in religious studies and philosophy.

"My ambition was to study to be a primary school teacher and I had conditional offers at two universities," said the 19-year-old.

"However, I was disappointed when I saw my results. I contacted my first choice but they kept me waiting and I began to panic."

A teacher advised him that another route into teaching would be to do a degree in religious studies and then go on to gain a PGCE qualification.

He contacted the clearing centre at Newport's university where the expert staff there were "brilliant" and he was accepted onto the course.

Visit www.newport.ac.uk for more information.