youngsters at a school in Rayleigh have been acting as counsellors to other pupils.

A group of year 10 and 11 pupils at the FitzWimarc school have become peer supporters, offering advice and support to pupils with problems.

As part of their work, Anna Martin, Katy Sawyer, Sophie Stagg, Charlotte Harris, Laura Hembling, Lily Usher, Amy Parsons and Geordie Wilson have been spreading the message lean on us, at assemblies.

The group prepared a Power-point presentation and a video re-enacting a scene of a pupil with a problem. They also used drama to convey their message.

Anna said: "Pupils don't always want to speak to an adult about a problem, so it's nice there is someone their own age here who is available to talk to them.

"Peer supporters are always here to listen and some of us have been through problems so understand how it feels. We listen and offer options to help deal with different situations."

Pastoral assistants, Carly Davison and Elaine Fyffe, co-ordinate the peer supporters.

Miss Davison said: "I was really proud of all the peer supporters who made the assemby happen. I thought they did very well considering how nervous they were having to speak in front of their peers. They are very dedicated and did a good job promoting peer support."