The Sutton Trust education charity has published research showing 80% of 2,700 youngsters asked in England and Wales expect to apply to university.

But it warns a steep rise in fees could mean two-thirds changing their minds.

Trust chairman Sir Peter Lampl says many young people who miss out on places would be "sorely disappointed".

The research from the Sutton Trust comes against the background of Lord Browne's review of university funding in England.

This could allow universities to charge tuition fees higher than the current maximum of £3,225 per year.

The Sutton Trust's study of 2,700 young people aged 11 to 16, carried out by Ipsos Mori, says that an unprecedented four out of five young people now expect to go to university.

Universities have warned that they are facing a huge demand for places this summer - up 16% year-on-year - with applications climbing sharply in recent years.

There could be as many as 250,000 more applications than there are places this summer.

The survey from the Sutton Trust suggests the demand for places is going to intensify even more.

But it includes a strong warning that such ambitions could be punctured by much higher tuition fees.

It identifies the crunch point for fees as being £7,000