DORSET education bosses today called for an independent inquiry to be held into claims the three main exam boards marked down A-level entries.

With many students set to start university courses based on their original grades, there had been fears that any future remarking of exams could affect places already earned.

But bosses at Budmouth Technology College and Weymouth College say they want to see action to restore confidence in the exam process, although they say they have not received many calls from worried parents,

Budmouth Technology College vice principal Neil Hardisty said: "We're unhappy about what is happening at the moment. We have asked for a remarking of some of our papers because of the current controversy but luckily I don't think we've been as badly affected as some other places around the country."

He added: "There is no doubt that this controversy will have damaged confidence in the exam process."

Dr Hardisty said Budmouth had not been contacted by worried parents but said an independent enquiry was needed to put the matter to bed.

Education Secretary Estelle Morris recently announced the entries where grades have already been disputed by students and their teachers should be re-marked as quickly as possible.

The controversy originally centred on one of the three boards, the Oxford and Cambridge and RSA but the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance quickly faced similar claims. Edexcel is the latest exam board to come into the frame.

Margaret Morrissey, from the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, who lives in Dorchester, said the claims were 'devastating'.

She said: "For a number of years pressure has been building for both parents and pupils. This scandal is the final straw.

"The secretary of state owes it to pupils and their parents to ensure papers are marked again and a consistent, fair marking and grading system is put in place."

John MacDonald, director of Weymouth and Portland sixth form based at Weymouth College, said: "As far as we know, we have not had any problems with our A-level results."

No one at Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester was available for comment.