Schools get more value from books than computers, a survey has found.

Higher education researchers found that schools spending £100 per pupil on books saw a greater increase in test scores in key subjects than those who spent the same amount on technology or staff.

The researchers, from three universities, looked at more than 6,000 primary schools over a three-year period. They used data collected by Ofsted, the education watchdog. Their research also included a survey of 540 head teachers.

Spending £100 on books would increase Key Stage 2 test scores by an average of 1.5 per cent, while spending the same on computer technology would only result in an increase of 0.72 percent on average.

Steve Hurd of Open University told the Times Educational Supplement, which published the results: "It is surprising that books matter. It seems a small effect but it is significant."