A BUSINESSMAN who left school without any qualifications after being bullied is backing a campaign to stop the practice.

Scott Hillary played truant from school because of bullying and left at 16.

However, he was determined not to let the bullies beat him and enrolled at college. Some years later, he gained his degree.

Now 31, he is head of the £1m Mister Twisters children's indoor play park and party centre business, with bases in Consett and Gateshead and others due to open in Hartlepool, Thornaby and Newcastle.

He and his wife, Victoria, also run a soft play manufacturing firm called Scott Leisure Developments.

Now Mr Hillary is sponsoring Buddy the Chipmunk, the mascot of Durham County Council's Anti-Bullying Service, and is keen to use the service to keep his play parks free of bullying.

He said: "Basically, my school life was absolute hell. I moved to a new comprehensive in my mid-teens and because I was the new boy and overweight, I was targeted almost from the word go.

"There was mental as well as physical abuse. It was a horrible time but now, when I look back, I just feel pity for the bullies.

"I fully support what the council is doing and by doing this, even if I can help one child overcome the pain of bullying, it will have been worth it."

As well as sponsoring Buddy, Mr Hillary wants to apply for the service's accreditation scheme for his company, which so far has only been available to schools.

Accreditation is awarded to those who meet a number of criteria. These include establishing an anti-bullying interest group and setting up an anti-bullying policy, which is reviewed annually.

Groups taking part in the scheme must also demonstrate their commitment to accessing and supporting relevant agencies with regular staff and pupil training.