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

The TV personality yesterday opened a week-long exhibition at County Hall, in Durham, 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 a number of scenes and songs for Denise Robertson about the issue.

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 get 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 that 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 feature in the exhibition, which runs from 10am-3.30pm every day at County Hall, except Friday, when it closes at midday.