Students are facing an anxious wait - after vital papers went missing.

Up to 15 students at the Harwich and Clacton centres of the Tendring Adult Community College took exams in accounts and databases.

They were studying under the newly-formed Oxford, Cambridge and Royal Society of Arts Examination Group.

The college sent off the coursework by recorded delivery - but now they have gone missing.

Michael Bowes, the community college's principal, said: "It is a serious problem."

He said the college may consider legal action and ask for compensation.

The pupils paid £60 for the course and, if that has to be refunded, the examining board the OCR could be asked to pay up.

It is still hoped that much of the work will be saved on disc and can be resubmitted.

But in the worst case scenario, Mr Bowes said students may have to do the work again.

He explained the work was assessed internally and then sent off to get the certificate. But now the students' papers have gone astray.

One of those affected was the Rev Geoff Catchpole, of St Bartholomew's Church in Holland-on-Sea, who completed the final two of five Cambridge Information Technology modules last spring and summer.

The OCR declined to comment.

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