The statistics were revealed as a new campaign aimed at stopping bullying in the county was launched last night.

Representatives of youth charity Service Six and Childline president Esther Rantzen, the public face of the campaign, hosted an event at The Guildhall in Northampton.

The campaign comes on the back of research carried out with young people across the county which found bullying was their number one concern.

Service Six is hoping to raise £150,000 to fund anti-bullying projects, research and services.

Under the new programme, victims of bullying will be provided with confidential advisers who will try to help them find an answer to their problems.

At the launch, pupils from Ferrers Specialist Arts College in Higham Ferrers performed dramas about bullying and its effects.

Ms Rantzen said: "Bullying is something we have been very concerned about at Childline since we started in 1986.

"It's surprising the number of schools that are still in denial – two of my children were bullied and it affected them in different ways, and the school never knew about it.

"I think where Northamptonshire goes today, the rest of the UK, if they are intelligent, will follow."

Director of Service Six Jane Deamer said: "Our ultimate aim is to do something which hasn't been achieved yet and that's to stop bullying. This campaign has come from children, we have been led by them, their needs and their interests."

To donate to the campaign send a cheque payable to Service Six, with 'Anti-Bullying Campaign' on the back, to Service Six, 26 Rock Street,

Tags: boy, bullying, girl, teen