Thousands of students in the Democratic Republic of Congo face another year in the sixth form because their university entrance examination papers have disappeared.

The students, who should have begun the exams today, were told that the papers had not been delivered.

The authorities say the main problems are in the west and north-east of Congo.

They say fighting has disrupted the distribution system.

A BBC correspondent in Congo says it's estimated that thirty-thousand students have had their academic careers disrupted.