A VIDEO message to beat the bullies, which has been created by school pupils, is to be shown around east Durham.

Year eight children from St Bede's RC Comprehensive, in Peterlee, won a district-wide competition by producing their own video to raise awareness of bullying.

It will be shown on the East Durham Local Strategic Partnership TV system, which has 40 screens in community venues around Easington district, including leisure centres, libraries, community centres, fast-food outlets and schools.

Steve Arkley, Easington council's head of neighbourhood initiatives, said: "Bullying is an important issue in Easington and a problem the Community Safety Partnership is committed to tackling.

"It was a good opportunity to engage the young people in an interesting project."

St Bede's head of year, Elsie McGowan, said: "We are delighted to have won the competition and are very proud of the pupils. They worked so hard as a team and got so much enjoyment out of it."

The winning team received a Canon digital camcorder and each pupil was also given a copy of the CD showing their message.