A former pupil who claims her school let her down when she was being bullied today told a court how her teacher was powerless to stop her tormentors.

Caroline Newby, 19, alleges she was regularly spat at, pushed and called names at Shotton Hall Secondary School in Peterlee, Co Durham.

Along with fellow former pupil Jamie Bright, 20, who also claims he was bullied, Miss Newby is suing Durham County Council and the school governors.

At Teesside County Court Miss Newby tearfully said most abuse by fellow pupils was verbal, but she was also tripped and pushed both in and out of school.

The claimant's father, Clive Newby, told the court he visited Caroline's head of year to complain about the bullying, but said nothing was done.

Mr Newby today told the hearing: ''He told her to go back to the classroom and stop being silly.''