SCHOOL governors and teachers across the region breathed a sigh of relief last night after two former pupils who claimed their lives were made hell by bullies failed in their attempt to win damages.

Caroline Newby and Jamie Bright, now both 20, suffered physical and verbal abuse at Shotton Hall Comprehensive School, Peterlee, County Durham, and claimed not enough was done to protect them.

But yesterday, a judge ruled that, while he accepted they were bullied, their school had done everything possible.

The result will come as a massive relief to the teaching profession.

If the actions had been successful, they could have sparked a flood of claims against schools.

Teachers' unions say more and more parents and former pupils are already resorting to the courts.

In the North-East, the NUT said it had evidence that some legal firms are actually touting for parents' business outside school gates.

Terry Buckler, Northern regions secretary with the NUT, said yesterday: "The threat of legal action is there all the time now for schools and they're having to deal with this rather than teaching children."

Ms Newby and Mr Bright brought separate actions against the governors of the school and Durham County Council.

Their barrister, Philip Cramer, told Teesside County Court that although the school did have processes in place to deal with bullying, the claimants alleged they were not followed, despite both pupils making complaints.

Miss Newby claimed £50,000 for psychological injury and Mr Bright a similar sum for psychological and physical injuries.

She told the court that for two years she was tormented by a group of eight girls, starting in 1994 when she was 12.

Mr Bright told how he was repeatedly punched and was even knocked unconscious on one occasion.

The governors of the school and Durham County Council said they had done everything they could to protect them, with bullying policies in place both at local education authority (LEA) and school level.

Recorder Julian Goose, QC, said: "I cannot conclude that the defendants were negligent."

After the case Diane Brough, solicitor for both families, said: "Both claimants are extremely disappointed with the judgement, they have no regrets at all about bringing the claim.

"The judge found that there was serious and sustained incidents of bullying.

"Their advice to other children, who are suffering bullying would be to be sure to learn by their mistakes and report it promptly, name names and ensure the school does something there and then to assist them."

A spokesman for Durham County Council said: "The county council acknowledged many years ago that bullying at school was an issue and drew up its anti-bullying policy. This policy was in place at the time of these alleged incidents.

"We do take bullying seriously and are working in partnership with schools to ensure measures are in place to help prevent it.

"Each incidence of alleged bullying is treated on its own merits, and the safety of the alleged victim is paramount."