SCHOOLCHILDREN are demanding self-defence classes so they can protect themselves from violent bullies.

And they want anger management classes to be made available to young thugs who make their lives hell.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council is drawing up pilot schemes to help children defend themselves -- providing the training doesn't encourage them to attack fellow pupils themselves.

The council set up a special sub-committee of its youth forum -- made up of teenage repersentatives from across the borough -- to look at bullying after it was raised as an issue by young people.

It has produced a list of requests, including asking each school to appoint a teacher as a 'bully tzar,' self-defence lessons for potential victims and anger management classes for the bullies.

Today Jaffer Hussain, the borough's deputy youth MP -- a post elected by young people -- said: "Many young people feel teachers don't do enough to help stop bullying.

"There are occasions when young people don't have a teacher nearby to step in and help, so they want to be able to defend themselves."

The 17-year-old former Beardwood School and current Blackburn College student, added: "We want the council to step in and offer self-defence in school and also proper support for the bullies so they stop making lives a misery for others.

"This wouldn't be instead of telling someone about being bullied. That should always be the first thing someone does.

"We couldn't find examples of where it was being done so we thought it would be a good idea to give it a try."

Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for education at the council, said: "We appreciate the time and effort put in by young people in drawing up their ideas and we certainly intend to act on them.

"We are looking a pilot schemes for self-defence, and want to find a form which isn't combative but allows people to deflect attackers.

"Bullying is an issue we take very seriously and we are talking with the local healthcare providers about anger management. We want to talk to the young people again about how they want these services to be delivered."

A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills said: "Our advice to children would always to seek help.

"It is important schools seek advice from students to find out what they think will best tackle bullying.

A spokesman for the charity Kidscape said: "We have recommended in the past that parents of children being bullied consider self-defence classes to boost their confidence."

Lee Harris, head at Blakewater College, Blackburn said in principle he welcomed the moves to bolster the anti-bullying work being done in his and other schools in the borough.

"Schools already do some element regarding the bullying issue through personal and social education (PSE) lessons.

"Obviously I would have to see the details of this but anything which makes children feel safer should be welcomed. It would be important to consult parents tghough as these things are more efefctive if everyone agrees on them ratrher than siomply enforcing it."

The anti-bullying programme at Blakewater includes pupils looking at the pyschology behind it and encouraging pupils to talk about it and speak out if they are a victim.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said it too was speaking to young people about bullying.