FOOTBALLERS on Teesside are helping to tackle bullying.

Members of Middlesbrough Football Club's first team squad made presentations of signed Boro merchandise to the winners of a poster design competition.

The winning posters are to be used in an anti-bullying campaign run by the Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust.

Boro defender Colin Cooper said: "Bullying can obviously be a big problem when you are at school age, so it is a big issue that needs highlighting.

"We are only too happy to play our part."

Yvonne Harrison, primary mental health worker for the trust, said: "Boro's backing in this important issue is much appreciated, especially as it coincides with football's week of action against racism.

"Bullying can occur in many forms, racism being one of these. It can have a tremendous effect upon the mental wellbeing of the victim.

"Mental health problems will affect one in five children but, with help, the vast majority manage to overcome these difficulties.

"Hopefully, this competition will help the local youngsters to realise just how common mental health problems are and that victims do not have to suffer in silence."

The winner of the competition was 13-year-old Robin Skelton, Rachel Dunston was second and Emma Cole third. They all attend Laurence Jackson School, in Guisborough.