MP Mike Foster and Worcester Wolves basketball coach, American Rick Solvason, are pictured encouraging youngsters at Gorse Hill Primary School to shoot for a place in higher education.

Mr Foster and Mr Solvason visited the school on Friday to highlight an innovative scheme run by University College Worcester.

The Widening Participation Project - run jointly by the college, the University of Warwick and Coventry University - gives pupils the chance to experience what life in higher education would be like.

Under the guidance of Wolves head coach Mr Solvason and UCW students who are training to be coaches, children at the school will participate in an extensive training programme at their own school.

They will then attend tournaments led by the Wolves at the University.

The youngsters will also be invited to the National League home games of the Wolves as guests for the rest of the season.

Mr Foster, Parliamentary aide to Higher Education Minister Margaret Hodge, said: "We want all youngsters to aim higher, to see universities as places they can go to, not just a place for others.

"This innovative approach will help break down the barriers that exist in people's minds about higher education. Too many pupils do not aspire to go on to to study in higher education."

"More should do so. It transforms lives, both in terms of the type of jobs people have and the extra income they will earn."