ACTION costing almost £200,000 is being proposed to improve exam results by children in care.

Middlesbrough Borough Council is suggesting that the cash be set aside for computers for the homes of foster carers and the employment of a project officer and two learning mentors, to help youngsters in care pass more GCSEs.

During the past year, none of the children achieved five or more at grade C or above - recognised as the mark for good passes.

If councillors approve the proposals, the Government is likely to meet the initial costs, but the council would have to keep the services running.

As part of an information network, costing £40,000, social services would work with the local education authority to identify under-achievement early.

"Tailor-made interventions" would be delivered by different agencies, and two learning mentors would be employed, at a cost of £50,000.

At £100,000, the most expensive suggestion is installing computers, which would bring foster homes in line with children's homes.

The measures are predicted to boost A to C pass rates to a level of up to 20 per cent.

Last night, Liberal Democrat councillor Tom Mawston, a member of the authority's corporate parenting board, said the measures were desperately needed.

"The board was established because Middlesbrough council recognised that we were failing in providing children with proper care. These children have been dreadfully neglected from the days of Cleveland County," he said.