YOUNG people in County Durham are fundraising to help victims of bullying.

Peer supporters, trained by Durham County Council's Anti-Bullying Service to help younger pupils, have been baking cakes for sale in schools to raise money for the charity ChildLine.

So far, more than £200 has been raised in four schools, and more schools are keen to take part.

Val McFarlane, the anti-bullying service team manager, said: "This is an excellent idea.

"Alex Dobson from our service has been helping the young people who were keen to use their skills and creative talent to make cakes, which were soon snapped up by both pupils and staff."

Veronica Waldie, deputy headteacher at Belmont School, in Durham, said: "We really value the work of the peer supporters who make our school a more friendly environment for younger pupils.

"They are always keen to help and this is yet another example of pupils helping others."

ChildLine chairman Esther Rantzen, said: "Completely brilliant, many congratulations for the pupils in Durham.

"What a creative and delicious idea. We are always grateful for any support in raising funds and it's refreshing to hear of young people doing something for others.

"ChildLine receives thousands of calls from young people who are experiencing bullying problems.

"Durham's anti-bullying service has trained hundreds of peer supporters to help and I'm so very impressed that they are doing something extra to help pupils who contact ChildLine."