Herefordshire was feted at a London conference attended by Cherie Blair for leading the way on practical steps to help school pupils deal with bullying, stress and other problems.

The Childline event, hosted by Esther Rantzen, heard of Herefordshire's success in training and getting in place 'listeners' in 10 of the county's 14 high schools, with the others soon to follow.

The highly structured Herefordshire 'peer support' scheme, in which trained youngsters lend a friendly ear to pupils with worries, includes an NVQ level 1-2 qualification. It is unique.

Delegates clamoured for details at last week's conference on bullying held at the Royal College of Physicians, Regents Park. It was attended by nearly 500 people - including 'Ant 'n Dec' who made a surprise visit.

Hereford-based Sue Baskin of CLD Youth Counselling Trust said she was overwhelmed by the "tremendous" interest.

"Our stand at the event was crawling with people - we were inundated with inquiries," said Sue. "We are leading the way because we have an accredited course."

It was a day a 14-year-old pupil from the Minster College, Leominster will never forget. Ed Hall chatted with the celebrities, Cherie and Esther, about his voluntary role as a school 'listener.'

Ed, who attended the conference with Sue Baskin and Minster deputy head Richard Davies, is part of an 11-strong 'ABLA' team (Anti Bullying and Listening Association) at his school.

Teams of trained listeners, each with a designated listening room, have been set at other county high schools at Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kingstone, Kington, Hereford (Whitecross), Lugwardine (St.Mary's) and Weobley.

Pupils choose a name for their project. Some have been given the opportunity to revamp the dcor of their meeting place. Pupils with problems are finding the friendly support now available of great help, the schools all report. Junior schools are soon to join the scheme

Sue Baskin said Herefordshire's pioneering moves were made possible by the education authority under its 'Healthy Schools' initiative. It was working so well because the head teachers were giving it real backing, she said.