TEENAGE pupils-turned-counsellors told how they uncovered a world of childhood misery at their County Durham comprehensive school when they started a bullying helpline.

Speaking at the launch of a county helpline set up by the county council, the girls said they had discovered "very serious" problems affecting fellow pupils.

Also at the launch was former Newcastle United star Peter Beardsley who said he sometimes read a story to his own children about bullying.

The former player, now a coach at Newcastle United, said he had never been bullied at school because he was "quite good" at sport.

But he had worried about his own children Drew, 12, and Stacey, eight.

He said: "My kids were not bullied even though it can be hard having a famous dad.

"But I've read this story from Topsy and Tim to Stacey, even though she's a bit old for it now, and I always think about it. It really got the message across. I think this whole idea is fantastic."

Joanne Rivett, 16, Catherine Williams, 16, and Sam Swift, 15 were at the launch to tell of their experiences helping children at Belmont Comprehensive School.

The girls, who are all leaving the school this year to take up A-Levels and NVQs, breathed new life to the Belmont Friendly Society when they took it over a year ago with their friend Sarah Wooley, 16.

After a training programme they began taking calls from children at the school about a range of issues.

As well as bullying, the issues included family bereavement and other problems at home.

On one occasion, and with the headteacher's permission, the girls even wrote a letter home to one unhappy child's parents.

On another occasion, after hearing about a particularly harrowing complaint, they had to go to the authorities.

But most calls were about bullying. "They were usually about appearance," said Sam Swift.

"If they wanted us to, we would talk to the people doing the bullying and that would usually do the trick. Sometimes it helped just to talk."

The county council helpline is 0191-383 4367 and will be open for calls between 9.30am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

It will also be open from 10am to noon tomorrow.