SIXTH form students from across the region arrived at Durham University last night for a summer school.

About 130 young people, who will start year 13 next month, will take part in the six-day course at St Aidan's College.

The residential summer school is designed to encourage students to achieve their full potential and to raise their aspirations to apply to the more competitive universities.

Matthew Andrews, the university's head of undergraduate admissions, said: "Summer school is an excellent opportunity for young students to explore and develop their full potential.

"The University of Durham is pleased to be able to provide what we hope will be a very rounded and rewarding experience, which will help students to make informed decisions about pursuing a course of higher education."

The programme combines study and social activities, so that students get a real experience of what to expect as an undergraduate.

Yesterday, they settled in with a murder mystery night in St Aidan's College.

Today they will be studying one of nine subjects: anthropology; biological sciences; chemistry; business, economics and finance; law; geological sciences; philosophy; French and physics.

Students will sample a range of teaching methods with lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical-based learning.

A range of sports activities will be available and the social activities programme includes a garden party in the college grounds and an Elizabethan banquet at Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, on Wednesday.