More than nine out of 10 undergraduate students at Norwich's universities were educated at state schools, figures show.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) took 91pc of its students from state schools in the 2016/17 academic year, while Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) took 97pc.

The figures, from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), show that both universities met their school admissions target, of 88pc at UEA and 94pc at NUA.

There is ongoing work around the country to widen participation at university, with roughly two thirds of universities around the country meeting their target.

Around the country, the HESA data, which does not include international students, showed that 90pc of students starting university in 2016/17 were educated at a state school, though the proportion varies from institution to institution.

Professor John Last, vice-chancellor at NUA, said they had worked hard over several years to ensure there were opportunities at NUA for students from all backgrounds.

'The statistics show that we exceed our benchmarks for widening participation year-after-year,' he said. 'You'll find our academics, recruitment team and student ambassadors talking to pupils in schools and colleges around the country about university life and the careers options that open through different courses. But we don't see this a question of hitting targets.

'This is part of our mission and the positive role universities can play in driving social mobility and helping to shape new opportunities for young people.'

Claire Petley, head of UK and EU recruitment and outreach at UEA, said they were proud to have a diverse range of students from different backgrounds, which she said was largely testament to the work of its outreach team.

'The team engage pupils through a number of programmes including Medical Aspirations, which gives young people who are interested in studying medicine the opportunity to experience what it's like to be a student and live on campus, and our popular summer schools,' she said.

'All of our activities are supported by one of the largest student ambassador schemes in higher education, who are current students who support events, welcoming people to our campus and developing their own skills.'