A SCHOOL is creating a garden as a way of dealing with bullying.

Pupils from St Charles RCVA Primary School, in Spennymoor, carried out a survey, which showed that bullying happens most often in the playground.

They came up with the idea of creating an anti-bullying garden, where victims can escape to for advice and safety.

Twenty youngsters, called Buddies, will be on hand to talk to pupils and will be easily identifiable with bright yellow baseball caps.

The garden was created with the help of volunteers from Northumbrian Water, Asda Spennymoor and construction firm Lumsden and Carroll.

The volunteers spent hours clearing, digging and planting the garden, which is 30 metres long and 14 metres wide.

Peter Trees, a Northumbrian Water project manager, said: "Bullying is something which can have a devastating effect on a child's life and I think it is excellent that these children have identified that and are doing something about it."

Asda Spennymoor employees have raised £500 through hot dog sales and home-made cake sales to add to £500 from the Asda Get Involved Foundation, while Lumsden and Carroll supplied materials and equipment as well as manpower.

Pupils Kate Borrowdale and Kyle Quinn, both from Ferryhill and aged 11, are among those leading the project.

They said: "Our garden will hopefully help any child who is a victim of bullying or who needs a friend - we will do our best to help them and make them smile."