A £1.4M scheme is being launched to help steer vulnerable children in the Stockton area away from trouble.

The multi-agency Behaviour Educational Support Team (Best) will be funded through the Government's Behaviour Improvement Programme.

The aim is to help support youngsters who may be at risk of exclusion from school, have social or emotional difficulties, have problems with bullying or truancy or who take part in anti-social behaviour.

The team will include an anti-bullying officer, police officer and support worker.

A total of 14 schools are taking part in the scheme, five secondary and nine primary, and it is hoped it will be up and running in the next few weeks.

John Lambert, Best coordinator, said: "This is an absolutely fantastic scheme and being able to start from the beginning we have the opportunity to get it right.

"One of our main aims is to raise attendance, and even doing so by two or three per cent will be fantastic as it will increase a youngster's chances of getting better exam results.

"We also hope to tackle behavioural problems and work with youngsters who are making the transition from primary to secondary school.

"Basically, the aim is to help schools to improve behaviour, improve attendance and raise attainment, which in effect gives young people improved life chances."

The team will also be supported by PC Jeff Vowles, who will work as the school liaison officer. His aim is to improve the behaviour of pupils and tackle problems associated with anti-social behaviour.

He said: "Working with a small cluster of schools, I am quite confident there will be a high level of continuity within the schools.

"The children will get to know me and I can hopefully build up their trust. I want them to see that police officers can help them.

"If I can just help a handful of children improve their behaviour then it will have been successful. I am looking forward to the role and the rewards it can bring."