FOOTBALL star Peter Beardsley launched a scheme designed to end the misery of bullying in County Durham schools yesterday.

A helpline has been established by Durham County Council which has one of the country's few full-scale anti-bullying services.

The former England and Newcastle United star revealed he sometimes read a story about bullying from the Topsy and Tim children's books to help his own children be prepared in case they have trouble at school.

Mr Beardsley, who is now a coach at Newcastle United, said he had never been bullied at school because he was "quite good" at sport.

But he said he had worried about his own children, Drew, 12, and Stacey, eight.

He said: "My kids were not bullied, even though it can be hard having a famous dad. But I have read this story from Topsy and Tim to Stacey, even though she is a bit old for it now, and I always think about it.

"It really got the message across. I think this whole idea of a helpline is fantastic."

Teenagers Joanne Rivett, 16, Catherine Williams, 16 and Sam Swift, 15 attended the launch to tell of their experiences helping children at Belmont Comprehensive School in Durham City.

The girls, who are leaving school this summer to take up A-levels and NVQs, breathed new life into the Belmont Friendly Society when they took it over a year ago with their friend, Sarah Wooley, 16.

Children at the school contacted the girls, who received counselling training, about a number of issues as well as bullying, including family bereavement and home problems.

On one occasion, with the headteacher's permission, the girls wrote a letter to one unhappy child's parents.

But most calls were about bullying.

"They were usually about appearance and they would sometimes be very upset," said Sam.

The county council helpline number is 0191-383 4367. It is open for calls between 9.30am and 4pm from Monday to Friday. It will also be open from 10am to noon today.