THE North-East is to get an anti-bullying tsar in an attempt to tackle the problem in schools.

The move is part of the setting up of a national agency, the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), by the Government to take a lead role in dealing with bullying and the misery it can cause.

Hundreds of schools in the North-East have already committed themselves to a Government backed charter for action on the problem.

Now an appointment is set to be made, based in the region, whose job it will be to co-ordinate help, advice and support for schools, local education authorities and parents.

Along with other experts in the alliance, the coordinator will help promote best practice and develop initiatives to deal with modern methods of bullying such as text messaging and Internet chat.

He or she will also help run a mediation and referrals service in severe cases of bullying where all other avenues explored locally aimed at solving the problem have been exhausted.

Bishopsgarth School, in Stockton, Teesside, is one school which has been praised for its methods of tackling bullying.

The school, which was recently visited by Education Minister Ivan Lewis, runs a Chill-out Club at lunchtimes which offers younger pupils the chance to have an older child as a buddy or mentor.

Headteacher John Golds said: "Bullying is not acceptable. It can be extremely damaging to the individual and the institution and we take a zero tolerance view towards it. We don't disregard it - it is an issue that we make sure we act upon."

Ivan Lewis, who himself was bullied at secondary school, said: "Bullying is physical or emotional assault, and can lead to the most tragic consequences.

"I am confident that our new Anti-Bullying Alliance, working in partnership with schools, teachers and parents will play a key role in tackling it."

The Government has pledged to continue supporting schools that take tough action against violent pupils with permanent exclusions even for first time offences, and the use of new parenting contracts to focus the minority of parents on measures to improve their child's behaviour when they have previously been unwilling to make the effort.

Its drive to tackle bullying has been partly prompted by a handful of tragic deaths, including that of Karl Peart, of Ashington, Northumberland, who killed himself after years of bullying.

* A free helpline is available for parents, on 0808 800 2222 or log on to www.dfes.gov.uk/ bullying