DURHAM University has opened its doors to show A-level students from ordinary backgrounds that it is not the exclusive preserve of former public school pupils.

One hundred pupils from schools across the North-East and Yorkshire - areas with low numbers of university applicants - are spending the week sampling university life at two of Durham's colleges.

The summer school, partly-funded by the Higher Education Funding College, is one of about 20 across Britain, and is part of a drive to encourage more bright students to study for degrees.

Durham is keen to dispel the myth that it is full of students from top public schools, and wants to tell youngsters that it is ability that counts.

The university was dragged into the row about elitism earlier this year but its head of schools liaison, Richard Taylor, said: "Fifty-three per cent of the people we make offers to are from state schools.

"This is about breaking down the stereotype. It isn't a one-off publicity stunt.

"If the students get the grades we ask for we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot if we didn't take them just because they went to a comprehensive.''

Jennifer Johnson, 17, who is studying A-level biology, geography and maths at Darlington's Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, said: "It gives you a chance to sample university life for more than a day. You have to be a bit more independent, although you are well looked after.

"I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but everyone here has been very nice to me.''