TEENAGERS are giving up part of their holiday to sample university life and work towards their exams.

They are attending a three-day GCSE revision conference at Belmont Comprehensive School, Durham, getting help that could boost the grades they achieve this summer.

About 250 16-year-olds from schools across the county volunteered for the free High-5s Challenge and the chance to work with specialist teachers.

They are getting a taste of university life because they are staying at Durham University's Collingwood College.

The event has been organised for pupils considered to be on the borderline of getting grades C and D in certain subjects.

Chris Carling, of Durham County Council's Study Support Unit, said the event was not all work and that there was plenty of time each evening for fun and socialising.