SCHOOLGIRLS who have gone out of their way to help fellow pupils beat the bullies were yesterday honoured for their efforts.

Separate presentations were made to Hannah Wells, 16, and to ten-year-old Stephanie Melia, at their respective schools in Durham.

Both are winners of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award, which is given to young people for their contributions helping to tackle bullying.

Hannah was nominated for her "inspirational qualities", overcoming her personal problems as a sufferer of cerebral palsy to train and help other students as a peer supporter at Framwellgate School. She received the award at a presentation at the school yesterday.

Val McFarlane, Durham County Council's anti-bullying co-ordinator, said: "Despite her own difficulties, Hannah has gone out of her way to help others. She has put others first, on top of her own GCSE studies, and has become a really active young citizen."

Hannah plans to put her new-found skills to personal use when she moves to a new learning environment at a college in Leicestershire, where her family will be moving during the summer.

Meanwhile, a further Princess of Wales award was made to Stephanie, who performs a similar role to Hannah, but as a trained "buddy" at St Godric's RC Primary School, at Newton Hall.

Headteacher Christine Coxon said Stephanie has performed the role for the past two years and had also overseen the composition of an anti-bullying poem, by classmates.

Mrs Coxon said: "We are exceptionally proud of Stephanie because, with her help, we were able to take it to a wider audience at a regional anti-bullying awards ceremony.

"Stephanie is a lovely child, genuinely interested in helping other children."