SCHOOL pupils have been visited by a casting and modelling agent as part of a campaign to spread the anti-bullying message.

Rachel Spencer, a former Alder Grange pupil has returned to the school in Rawtnestall to run workshops about the issue after hearing about how some of her clients had suffered from bullying.

Pupils from years eight and year nine took part in the workshops which focused on using acting and games to make pupils think about what it feels like to be bullied.

The 31-year-old who set up Sofia Management, a modelling, acting and performance agency in Manchester said that she decided to run the workshops to try and highlight the widespread issue of bullying.

She said: “As a youngster I got bullied at primary school so it is something that is close to my heart. Recently some of my younger clients have come to me and said that they are currently being bullied. Bullying can happen at any age and in any setting, not just at school.

“The idea behind the workshops is to spread the anti-bullying message, and to build confidence and encourage pupils to be happy with the person they are.”

Rachel, who left the Calder Road school in 2003 and is a school ambassador, is hoping to roll out the workshops out into the community by running sessions for social and community groups.