VICTIMS of bullying have a new high-tech ally thanks to a North Yorkshire initiative.

Children and parents across the county will be able to seek help and advice on how to tackle bullying at the push of a button or click of a mouse.

North Yorkshire's education service has launched its anti-bullying website to coincide with a national awareness week on the issue.

Nationally, the Children and Young People's help agency Childline reports that bullying is a major reason young people get in touch with them.

And although the problem is thought to be greater elsewhere in the country, education officials in North Yorkshire see it as an issue that can arise anywhere.

The executive member for education, Councillor Chris Metcalfe, said: "We take the issue of bullying extremely seriously, believing that no child should have to endure the physical and psychological torment it can cause.

"At best, it interrupts their studies and in the worst cases it can threaten their health.

"In the past, the biggest problem for some children has been the feeling of isolation which has prevented them seeking help.

"Now they can find the answer to bullying through the computer in the security of their own homes."

A year in development, the website is called 'Stop it! I don't like it', and can be found at www.northyorks.gov.uk/ antibullying.

The head of the education unit's behaviour support services, Nigel Ogley, said: "We are trying to create a culture where bullying is considered totally unacceptable.

"The website is part of a strategy where we support young people, their parents, carers and schools.

"Our aims are to respond to the needs of those being bullied and to change the behaviour of those who do the bullying."

He added: "By intervening early, decisively and sensitively we can put an end to an issue that causes children untold misery.

"Our initiative is trying to reach every pupil no matter how mild or serious the bullying is."

* The county's education service is also hosting two major conferences on bullying, which it hopes will attract representatives from every school in the county.

They will be held at the Pavilions in Harrogate on December 1 and 6.