Warnings that head teachers must work to wipe out bullying have been welcomed by a North Yorkshire schoolboy who suffered violence at the hands of pupils.

John Carnell, 18, applauded the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) which today urged members to stamp out bullying to avoid mental injury of victims and possible legal action for damages.

The association has issued guidelines on how to do it.

John's parents, from Knox Way, Harrogate, were paid £6,000 by North Yorkshire education authority after they claimed Harrogate Grammar School had failed to prevent a year of bullying.

John said: "I think our action has definitely made education bodies get into gear and made them realise they are not untouchable.

"Any sort of guidelines to look at this problem and help schools tackle it has to be welcomed by me. If it had been taken more seriously then it could have changed what happened to me at school."

Bullying of John included him losing a tooth after being hit in the face.

David Hart, general secretary of the NAHT, said: "We live in an increasingly litigious society. There have been a number of high profile cases which have seriously affected the reputations of the schools concerned."

The guidelines make it clear that all bullying must be taken seriously and dealt with. Mr Hart said employers had a duty to ensure the health and safety of all those using their premises, which means heads had a legal duty to prevent bullying.

John's experiences encouraged him to set up a web page, Bullying Online, which offers advice and support to youngsters and their parents who suffer from bullying.

Recent research showed that as many as one in four primary school pupils is bullied.

John's mother, Liz, said: "I think it is very likely that this move has come about as a result of John's case. If this has come about as a result of what happened to John, then it makes every bit of misery that we went through worthwhile."

You can find Bullying Online at www.bullying.co.uk