SECONDARY and special school pupils throughout County Durham will have regular access to anti-bullying workers thanks to a £500,000 grant.

The cash has been allocated by the European Social Fund to boost Durham County Council's innovative Anti-Bullying Service.

It has paid for 11 extra staff, who started working with youngsters aged 13-16 at schools across the county on Monday.

Primary school children already have access to anti-bullying project workers for one day a week.

Val McFarlane, the council's project co-ordinator, said the new staff would work with both victims and perpetrators of bullying.

"This is really fantastic news for pupils in County Durham," she said.

"The extra funding means we can do even more work in schools, and pupils will have access to an anti-bullying project worker each week.

"The schools have been very positive about this new initiative, and we hope to continue to work together to make school a happier place where children can realise their full potential in a safe environment."

News of the scheme's extension has been welcomed by secondary and special schools, who have each appointed a link teacher to liaise with the new staff.

Funding for the posts will initially run until December 2003.

Lynne Ackland, head teacher at Sedgefield Community College, said: "As a head, I am delighted that County Durham takes the issue of bullying so seriously.

"The new project will allow schools not just to respond to incidents, but to work pro-actively to reduce bullying."

The cash comes as plans are under way for the third Happier in School week, taking place at County Hall, Durham, from July 15-19.

The scheme, launched by agony aunt Denise Robertson in 2000, brings children, teachers, parents and professional agencies together to raise awareness of bullying and involve them in activities.

In previous years, it has involved the setting up of a phone line for victims of bullying and buddy schemes with pupils acting as counsellors.