CHILDREN at a Bolton school have been given the role of playground peacemakers.

Wearing Helping Hands T-shirts, they are ready to sort out any squabbles among their classmates.

St Ethelbert's RC Primary School in Deane has introduced the scheme to encourage pupils to take on more responsibility in managing behaviour.

Special training in counselling and mediation has helped them to sort out minor niggles in the playground - and both staff and parents have noticed a new maturity in their behaviour.

Eighteen pupils aged 10 and 11 were selected to act as the mediators. If other pupils have a dispute, they call them in to settle the matter.

They are the first primary school children in the area to have learned these skills and they will be visiting other Bolton schools to share their expertise.

They will also be teaching younger children at St Ethelbert's how to become mediators.

Deputy head Catherine Lawton said: "We're delighted with how the children have reacted to the Peer Mediation scheme.

"They loved taking part and we've all noticed a big difference in behaviour. The scheme has brought so many benefits that we weren't expecting and, even though we never had any real problems with behaviour in the playground, any small problems are always sorted out very easily now."

The idea was introduced at the Melbourne Road school as part of its Investors In People scheme.

External trainers were brought in to teach the 10 and 11-year-olds the skills they needed.

The children have become much more confident and have learned to listen without interrupting and to help others without making judgements.

Business Link North Manchester advisor Becki Ross, who guided the school through the Investors In People award requirements, said: "Schools are becoming more like businesses in their structure and it is our job to help them seek further ways in which to improve and develop their Investors In People status."