AN internet scheme that is helping to tackle bullying at a Darlington school has attracted the attention of the Government.

The Guardian Angels initiative at Eastbourne Comprehensive School, is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the country.

It allows pupils to anonymously report incidents of bullying online via the school's internal web site.

The messages are then picked up by other pupils, who have been trained to deal with bullies.

They in turn alert teachers and offer victims advice on handling the situation. The scheme has proved such a success that headteacher Karen Pemberton has been asked to give a talk at an anti-bullying conference organised by the Department for Education and Skills in Eaglescliffe, Stockton, this week.

She said: "It started because we had a system where children who were complaining about bullying were allocated a 'secret friend' - another pupil to watch out for them.

"The idea is that the children being bullied don't know they are being looked after and the bully doesn't know who is watching. Then came the idea for Guardian Angels, a web site set up with the help of Darlington Youth Service."

The service means children who are too afraid to talk about bullying can report problems via e-mail.

It is also used by children who have witnessed other pupils being bullied but don't want to be seen as a telltale.

The school's deputy headteacher Geof Sewell recruited the volunteers and only he knows their identities.

Ms Pemberton believes the scheme has eradicated physical bullying and hopes the 'angels' will do the same for psychological bullying.