A primary school is successfully spearheading a new-age initiative to help its pupils chill out and get rid of the blues.

There are no punchbags involved, just a blue-room with an oval table where children with any problems are encouraged to go and get rid of their frustrations.

Cavendish Primary School in Hall Road, Bradford, has created The Partnership Room so children can go and talk to each other to get things off their chest.

The school chooses sensible pupils to become "buddies". They wear a red band and any child with problems is encouraged to talk to them in the room.

The school does not pretend to have more or less problems than any other educational establishment in the area but has heralded the scheme as a success.

Acting head teacher Anne Parrott said: "The room is still in its infancy and its refurbishment is still ongoing, but it has been a success.

"It has helped enormously in increasing the confidence of the pupils who are buddies. Children bring their home life problems into school and instead of taking their anger out on each other they are able to go to a quiet relaxing place to reflect.

"There are no punchbags in there, but there is a video, TV, calming music and drawing equipment and the buddies sit with them so they have someone to talk to. We feel it has helped our pupils, we still have problems but it is a step in the right direction."

The idea is the brainchild of headteacher Margaret Nixon and artist Mary Robson. They wanted pupils to be able to let rip their emotions without lashing out at classmates.

Three years ago they had difficulty controlling one class of boys and with the help of company Artwork the children were able to make a video of their feelings.

The cartoon called Inside Me is in the room for the children to watch whenever they need to relax and schools across the country have requested copies of it.

The school encourages the pupils to play traditional games to interact with each other more and get to grip with their feelings.