NORTH-EAST agony aunt Denise Robertson has helped to launch an anti-bullying campaign which aims to reach every school pupil in County Durham.

The TV personality yesterday opened a week-long anti-bullying exhibition at County Hall, in Durham City, to which every child in the county has been invited.

The week is part of Durham County Council's Anti-Bully Service, which works with schools to develop a number of initiatives, including buddy schemes, where fellow pupils act as counsellors.

To launch the week's events, pupils from selected schools performed dramatisations and songs for Ms Robertson on the issue.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Robertson said: "I think the idea is absolutely marvellous and will help create a climate where people won't suffer. I deal with a number of people who never got over being bullied at school. They go into victim mode and never get over it. Schemes like these can stop the problem early."

A council spokesman said the week-long event, called Happier in School, was designed to help teachers and parents deal with the problem as well as children.

Marianne Taylor, from the council's educational psychology service, said: "We hope that the pooling of resources, ideas and information will breed confidence, and that is a vital weapon in the fight against bullying."

Role-playing, traditional playground game displays and awareness-raising videos will feature at the exhibition, which runs from 10am to 3.30pm every day at County Hall, except Friday, when it closes at midday.