EDUCATION authorities all over the country are queuing up to tap into Durham County Council's anti-bullying expertise.

More than a dozen LEAs have already staked a claim to take part in a conference in the summer.

The event will look at the local authority's approach to reducing bullying in schools and highlight the work carried out in County Durham.

Esther Rantzen, chairman of Child-Line, will open the conference at the Ramside Hall Hotel on July 6, and talk about the children and young people who call the charity because of bullying.

Pupils, teachers and parents will talk about the effects of bullying and the differences the county's service can make in a school.

The service was set up in 1992 as part of Durham County Council's education psychology service. It has 16 staff based in primary and secondary schools and its work includes buddy training, peer support, mediation training and supervision, individual support for victims and those who bully, staff training and awareness and helping schools with their anti-bullying policies.

Supported by ChildLine, the service has introduced an anti-bullying accreditation scheme, which is awarded to any school which meets set criteria.

Project co-ordinator, Viv McFarlane said: "We are regularly contacted by other education authorities for information, strategies and advice.

"To have so many keen to attend the conference at this early stage, with more inquiries coming in each day, can only be good news for those young people who daily have to contend with bullying.''

The conference is open to anyone who works with young people in school or other settings, including social and health workers and school governors.