A NORTH-EAST schoolgirl's campaign against bullies, which was highlighted in The Northern Echo, has won her a national award for moral courage.

Joanne Geldart, of Ferryhill, County Durham, won an inaugural Anne Frank Award in the under 21s category.

The awards have been created by the Anne Frank Trust UK, and are given to people whose actions, in or out of school, have demonstrated that they can make a difference.

Joanne was bullied at school and kept a diary of her experiences because she was determined not to let the bullies beat her.

She wrote to Prime Minister Tony Blair calling on him to appoint a Children's Commissioner for England to tackle bullying, and met him at Downing Street to discuss the issue.

Joanne was presented with her prize at an awards ceremony in London's Hilton Hotel.

The judges, who referred to an article she wrote in The Northern Echo, said: "Joanne's campaigning against bullying has been so successful that not only has she met with the Prime Minister, but her work has even resulted in the anticipated appointment of a Children's Commissioner in the forthcoming Green Paper.

"She had spent the earlier years of her life facing a never-ending stream of insults about her weight and a white streak in her hair.

"When the teachers proved little help, she found support through Childline, and successfully published an article in the local newspaper entitled I Won't Let the Bullies Beat Me.

"The defiant article started Joanne's battle against bullying and her work with the NSPCC, appearances in national media and petitions to the Government led eventually to her meeting with the Prime Minister - the pinnacle of her determined and courageous mission."

Joanne received a statuette, books and a visit to Amsterdam's Anne Frank Museum.