Bullying can spoil school life for many children, but students at a South Lakeland school were rewarded for tackling the problem when they were given a prestigious accolade in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Two groups of students from Ulverston Victoria High School were said to be "astonished" when they both received awards from the London-based Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Award for Young People.

The Diana Anti-Bullying Award, set up in July 2004 with the Anti-Bullying Alliance, was given to the school's Peer Mediation group, made up of older students who act as buddies' to younger students and help to resolve bullying issues which arise.

The award recognises the contribution of children and young people up to the age of 18 in tackling bullying in their schools and communities.

A second award, known as the Diana Award, was given to students studying drama and PE who have been working with youngsters from Sandside Lodge School in Ulverston in a bid to form new friendships and learn together and from each other. It received the thumbs up from the Diana Trust, who wish to use it as a case study in their news- letter.

School counsellor, Donna Jacobs, said: "I am immensely proud of these students.

"They form a bridge to aid communication between children and adults and are often the first port of call for younger students who do not know how to resolve a situation themselves but need a buddy' to talk things through with.

"Many of my older boy students are the best possible role models younger boys could have."

Head teacher Karen Hanks said the school would continue with its campaign against bullying by taking part in National Anti-Bullying Week in November.

"Our theme will be to tackle cyber-bullying which has become the monster of the modern age with mobile phones and MSN (an internet-based instant messaging service) being the main pathways for unkind messages to be sent."