A UNIVERSITY is opening its doors next week to bright youngsters from ordinary backgrounds, to dispel claims of elitism.

Durham University is holding its first summer school for 120 teenagers from areas where traditionally there is a low level of applications for university.

Youngsters from Northern schools and colleges ranging from Consett to Sheffield will sample university life for a week.

Earlier this summer, the university was drawn into the row over elitism sparked by Oxford University's rejection of a talented Northumberland girl, when Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott made a veiled reference to Durham during a speech in Gateshead.

Despite its public school image, the university is committed to widening participation in higher education, and attracting able students whatever their background or parents' income.

Durham University's head of schools liaison, Richard Taylor, said: "One of the reasons some people do not even apply to university is that they have no idea - or maybe a false idea - of what it is like.

"Many also may come from areas with no experience of higher education.

"We aim to give potential students like these, who have real ability, a flavour of living in a Durham college and the courses we offer."

The youngsters will visit various areas of the university and be given a taste of the subjects on offer.

Other activities include visits to 95 schools and colleges in the region and day visits to the university by teachers and pupils.

The university also launched University College Stockton in 1992. Many of its students come from the region or have taken up studying later in life