Schoolboy Oliver Margetts has added his voice to the debate on Oxford University elitism and its alleged lack of acceptance of state school pupils.

The 11-year-old goes to Combe primary school, whose 110 pupils have forged strong ties with Lincoln College, Oxford.

For the last four years, older pupils have been invited to spend a day at the college.

In a letter to the Oxford Mail, Oliver writes: "We are treated like top scholars when we go to Lincoln College for Ascension Day. We are treated to a grand lunch served by polite and helpful waiters and waitresses. "Then we go on to the college's grass square, which no one else is allowed to walk on, and we take part in the traditional act of catching hot coins, which are thrown down from the battlements by the students. We are allowed to keep every single penny.

"The rector of Lincoln College, Dr Eric Anderson, also took the time and trouble to open our new terrapin some five years ago.

"And he and his wife, Elizabeth, who is a governor of the school, each year buy the pupils a Christmas treat."

School head Barbara Jones said: "The link between the college and Combe village and school goes back a long way.

"In the 19th century, the rector of Combe church was also the rector of Lincoln College and the liaison between the school and the college has been re- established. I feel the liaison enriches the children's education and we are very grateful for their very generous sup- port."

Dr Anderson said: "We like to have students from schools all over the country of every kind, and of course we have a special relationship with Combe C of E school and hope that in due course some of the pupils will be students here."