ALL schools are required by law to have a set framework for discipline, which takes into account bullying.

But it is left to individual school governing bodies to draw up discipline policies and share best practice.

Schools in Darlington and County Durham have declared a strong stance on bullying.

All of them have set up anti-bullying initiatives and many employ counsellors and support workers to work with victims and bullies to try to combat the problem.

Eamonn Farrah, head teacher at Hurworth Comprehensive, near Darlington, said: "Bullies get excluded. We don't tell them they can't do it, we don't put them on detention - we kick them out the first time.

"It is such a serious issue. All the kids know that if they do it, then they are out."

At Longfield Comprehensive, in Darlington, there are pupil counsellors who have strong links with the charity Childline.

Staindrop Comprehensive headteacher Brian Kinnair said: "The real issue is getting people to talk about the bullying issue. To tell someone.

"We also try to educate pupils about bullying - telling them that it is wrong."

Sedgefield Community College has peer mentors who talk to pupils about problems.

Most other schools across the region have involved pupils in both the formation of anti-bullying policies and in counselling their peers.

Hamish Joyce, headteacher at Rye Hills School, in Redcar, east Cleveland, said: "We live in an age now where parents are not afraid to use the courts if they are dissatisfied by something, so we are protecting the school."

The school has a group of older pupils who provide safe havens for youngsters who are being bullied or are afraid of being bullied, at break times and lunch times.

Brackenhoe School, in Middlesbrough, has a similar scheme where a group of 20 year ten pupils have been trained as school counsellors.

Our Lady and St Bede's School, in Stockton, Teesside, has the FAB Shield - Friends Against Bullying - which is presented to the pupil or pupils who have made the biggest impact in anti-bullying measures.

The award was set up by a retiring teacher who had experienced bullying in his family and wanted to make a difference.

Most schools agreed that one of the biggest problems they faced was getting pupils to admit in the first place that they are experiencing problems.

Langbaurgh School, in Middlesbrough, is described by deputy headteacher Tony Mills as "a telling school", where all the pupils are encouraged to tell staff of any problems.

But Ian Mather, acting head of Freebrough Community College, in east Cleveland, believes the teenage tormenters also need help.

"We need to recognise that the bully also has problems and those youngsters need help as well," he said.

At Stokesley School, in North Yorkshire, the bullying policy is subject to regular review and is addressed in English lessons, drama workshops and assemblies.

Durham County Council was one of the first councils to draw up a policy on bullying for all its schools.

The master plan, which can be adopted as it is written or altered by each of its 300-plus schools to meet local needs, has been in place for several years