YOUNGSTERS who feel they are being bullied can now turn to older pupils for help at a Huddersfield school.

Fartown High has set up a drop-in peer mediation scheme, where professionally-trained older pupils give advice and support.

Mediation sessions can be arranged between the child who is being bullied and the person accused of bullying.

A special service, Mediation In Kirklees, has trained pupils from Years 8 and 9 in mediation skills.

A drop-in service has been set up at the school on Thursday lunchtimes.

Fartown High head teacher Steve Brittan said: "Pupils from across the school - mostly Year 7s and 8s - will be able to talk to specially-trained pupils about their bullying issues, as well as any other disputes they have been having.

"The mediators have been trained to listen impartially and confidentially and will not take sides. They will invite both sides to talk together and come to a resolution.

"Both teachers and pupils will refer cases to the drop-in service, but it is hoped that eventually pupils will refer themselves."

The project has been paid for by Kirklees Council's community education and regeneration department through Neighbourhood Renewal and turbocharger makers Holset Engineering, of Turnbridge.

The company, based on St Andrew's Road, provides money and a member of staff goes to meetings which run the project.