PUPILS in Stockton are being offered help to overcome exam nerves and deal with other stressful situations through a new project funded by Health Action Zone Teesside.

Stress Busters, run by school nurses at Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, has already proved a success with youngsters at Grangefield School.

Now the nurses are ready to extend the course, designed for year ten pupils, to other schools.

Subjects covered include how our bodies react to stress, and relaxation techniques.

Sue Jones, from the school nursing services for Stockton and Billingham said: "Pupils face pressure to do well in exams. It can be stressful, particularly as they are at a difficult stage of physical development anyway.

"The techniques we show can be used to deal with any stress.