Croydon is bucking the London-wide trend for declining numbers of 18-year-olds carrying on into higher education.

Figures from the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) show that across London the percentage of 18-year-olds accepted into higher education has fallen from 23.9 per cent in 2002 to 23.6 per cent in 2003.

But Croydon has actually seen a rise in the number of 18-year-olds continuing study in the same period.

According to the figures last year 25.3 per cent of 18 year-olds were accepted into higher education while in 2002 that figure was 24.8 per cent.

Neighbouring borough Bromley saw a 3.7 per cent drop in the number of 18-year-olds in the same period.

A spokesman for the DfES explained that it was important to remember that these figures only included 18-year-olds and not older students who enter higher education, and are only for one year.

She said: "Standards in London schools are rising. This has meant more London students have had the grades to go to university. Over a longer term period dating back to 1997 the percentage of London students getting the right grades and going to university has increased by 16 per cent from 20.3 per cent to 23.6 per cent. That is a positive trend that we hope to see continuing over the next few years."