Universities and colleges in Sussex are telling students not to worry about the furore over A-level results.

They are assuring anxious students that all places offered on the basis of their A-level grades will not be affected by re-marking.

They are also telling students they will try to find places for them if, through re-marking, they now have the required grades.

It follows the announcement by Education Secretary Estelle Morris that thousands of exam papers will be re-marked because of discrepancies in a few.

A statement from Brighton University to all students scheduled to start their courses in the next few weeks said: "We understand how stressful this must be for you at this time so we are monitoring the situation closely.

"If you have already been accepted on a course don't worry, this decision will not change.

"If you meet this year's conditional requirements following any reassessment, we will make every effort to accommodate you this year."

Sussex University is preparing to take between 1,800 and 2,000 new students in the coming weeks.