A TEENAGE bullying victim who was threatened with a knife by her aggressors, is using her experience to produce a play tonight.

Rebecca Severi was bullied for a year at her school in Darlington and during her traumatic ordeal she was subjected to verbal and physical abuse.

During the worst incident, Rebecca's bullies confronted her with a knife and the police were called in to investigate the assault.

Now an A-level student at Darlington College of Technology, Rebecca, 17, is dedicating her life to help others fight bullies.

Tonight, a cast of seven youngsters, including Rebecca, will take the stage at the Darlington Art Centre to present a play about the issue.

The production of What Was Coming to Him, by Rib Davis, has been produced and directed by Rebecca.

She has adapted the play to highlight the anti-bullying message and is hoping its significance will not be lost on the audience.

Rebecca said: "I have been working on this for three months and I am very pleased with it. I hope people will see the play and it will break down some real preconceptions about bullies and the people who suffer at their hands.

"I want young people to realise they should get help as soon as they start being bullied."

An audience of students and teachers will see the play tonight and tomorrow and will be encouraged to discuss the issues it raises.

Since starting at college, Rebecca has set up an anti-bullying project called Stop and Think, which includes an interactive website via The Northern Echo's Communigate site.

She successfully bid for a £6,000 award to create the website and is hoping to get more money to continue her work in the coming years.

Earlier this year, Rebecca was awarded one of eight regional prizes at the Nationwide Awards for Voluntary Endeavour.

She has also become a Sedgefield Millennium Volunteer with the YMCA.

Rebecca, who believes she was targeted by the bullies because she was a hard worker at school, is hoping to eventually study communication and youth work at London University, so her campaign against the bullies will continue.