The scripts for the AS-level sociology exam set by the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations Board (OCR) were supposed to go to the home of a marker but ended up at a near neighbour's house.

This was a minor error which was turned into a major one by the well-meaning but unfortunate actions of a member of the public

Simon Sharp, OCR

It appears someone at OCR put the wrong house number on the envelope.

Although the papers had a return address on the package, the householder who received them is understood to have thrown them away.

The householder told the OCR that he had called another organisation which he thought was the board and was told to put them in the bin.

The OCR says the 293 candidates will not be adversely affected as examiners will use other evidence of their achievements when grading them.

The 16 schools and colleges affected have all been informed.

The papers in question would have accounted for 30% of the students' total mark.

'Mistakes can happen'

Simon Sharp, head of policy for OCR, said: "We know mistakes can happen when dealing with over a million pieces of paper each summer."

"That's why we have procedures in place to rectify any situation, including clearly marked address labels.

"This was a minor error which was turned into a major one by the well-meaning but unfortunate actions of a member of the public."

OCR's chief executive, Dr Ron McLone, said: "I can assure all candidates that they will not be disadvantaged by this unfortunate incident.

"We will use other evidence of their achievement to arrive at a fair outcome," said Dr McLone.

"I can also assure all schools and colleges taking OCR sociology that, if they have not received a call from OCR today, their candidates are not involved."