A DORSET teenager was one of 43 students who were told they had passed a vital exam, only to be told a week later they had failed.

Sherrie Benham, pictured, 18, of Blandford, is studying for a City and Guilds qualification in hairdressing at Yeovil College.

She is now considering whether to resit the maths and English exams, which are vital for completing the course.

Sherrie told the Echo: “I am very disappointed. I thought I had completed them – how can the awarding body have made such a monumental error?”

Cliff Shaw, a vice principal at Yeovil College, said: “This was a data error by City and Guilds that has affected students across the country.

“The College immediately made a formal complaint to City and Guilds pointing out in the strongest terms its dissatisfaction with this situation and highlighting to City and Guilds the upset and impact this has had on those students concerned.

“We are working with each of the students affected to help them achieve their qualification.”