SCHOOLS in the North-East are doing more to protect children from bullies than anywhere else in the country, according to ChildLine chair- man Esther Rantzen.

The television personality heaped praise on Durham County Council's education authority as it hosted a national conference yesterday to prevent bullying.

She described its initiatives to ensure pupils are not picked as "pioneering".

Mrs Rantzen presented the first Anti-Bullying Accreditation certificates to 24 head teachers who have taken a "whole school" approach to reduce the problem.

She said: "Everybody attending the schools knows that bullying is not tolerated and is not considered to be a normal part of growing up.

"It is just about making sure that it is a priority because bullying can stop children learning and stop them attending school."

Mrs Rantzen said bullying had been the most significant problem that children called ChildLine about.

She said there had been up to 30,000 calls across the country already this year and that annually 16 young people lose their lives because of bullies.

Ideas implemented by Durham County Council include the 'buddying scheme,' where year six children patrol the playground befriending lonely and vulnerable pupils and the 'mini-bud scheme' where year two children make friends with younger ones in the school.

Other successful schemes include forming a school council, anonymous questionnaires and a group support scheme.

Mrs Rantzen added: "They have really got a professional operation here and are helping all the local schools putting things in place and it is totally wonderful.

"That is why the conference is so well attended because other LEAs from all over the country have come here to see how County Durham does it."

Thirty education authorities from across the country met to share the authority's expertise at Ramside Hall, near Durham City.

The 150 delegates joined representatives from the Department for Education and Skills.

Anti-bullying Service co- ordinator Val McFarlane said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to share our expertise with professionals from throughout the country. We have been inundated with requests for help from other areas and this event will help share our expertise and focus on solutions to the problem."

It included workshops and presentations by young people and guest speakers.

* ChildLine is a free and confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK available by calling 0800 1111