The Exam Results Helpline opens at 8am to provide advice and support to students - and their parents - picking up GCSE results today.

Careers advisers are ready to provide impartial guidance to students who are unsure what to do next.

John Carberry, a careers adviser who has worked for the service for over 25 years, said: “A lot of the young people we speak to often aren’t aware of any other options available to them apart from their school’s sixth form.

"In some cases sixth form isn’t the ideal progression for students as the leap from GCSE to A-level studies can be significant and very challenging.

"That’s where we come in – to guide each individual on what’s best for them.”

Careers advisers at the Exam Results Helpline (ERH) provides advice on subject choices at sixth form as well as information on other potential options for students including local colleges that are available and apprenticeships in the area.

The Exam Results Helpline – 0808 100 8000 - has been open for six days and has already helped more than 5,000 students.

Mr Carberry said: “Some students who call the line are just simply confused.

"If they haven’t got the grades they were predicted or have done better than expected it can throw them off their plans.

"They want to talk things through with someone experienced.

"Anyone who is unsure what to do next should give us a call.”

If you are getting your results tomorrow and you want to talk to someone impartially and confidentially you can call 0808 100 8000 or find the Exam Results Helpline on Twitter or Facebook.

This year the ERH is being supported by Hollyoaks actors Jazmine Franks, who plays Esther, Alfie Browne-Sykes, who plays Jason, and model Amy Willerton.

To see the videos they made to support the service and for more information visit: http://ow.ly/A0CDS, http://ow.ly/zPoLe, http://ow.ly/zQ6tD

Further information including opening hours at www.ucas.com/examresultshelpline

See the live Gazette & Herald's blog here later with GCSE results published in next week's paper