Free computers with broadband access are being made available to underprivileged primary school pupils in Hull, it has been reported.

The Hull Daily Mail reveals how hundreds of students are set to receive a free laptop or PC worth more than £500, ensuring they have access to web services.

Dougal Gill, Hull City Council's Director of City Learning Centres, said the programme is aimed at "reducing the digital divide".

He commented: "It has been proven that there is a link between attainment and IT provision in the home. It can be as much as a couple of grades at GCSE.

"It certainly makes a fair impact on attainment, so what we are trying to do is to encourage families who don't have a computer to get one."

Earlier this month, a number of pupils at the Alderman Bolton Community Primary School in Warrington, Cheshire, were provided with a free dongle enabling them to access broadband services at home.

Funding from the local council complemented that provided by the e-Learning Foundation and mobile broadband provider T-Mobile, to make the project a reality.