Children without access to computers at home could lose out in GCSEs, teachers have said.

Delegates at the Professional Association of Teachers' annual conference in Cheltenham said children from affluent families were more likely to have a PC at home needed to do vital course work.

Berkshire teacher Pam Southcott said children "who don't have the internet world as their virtual oyster" could find coursework more difficult.

A child from a less well-off family had to rely on cash-strapped local libraries for help with course work and revision, she said.

Delegates were debating whether course work should be an optional extra in GCSE assessments.