STUDENTS at All Saints' School, York, were presented with awards after training to be "active listeners".

Youngsters in Year Nine and 13 gained the qualifications after a three-day training programme at the school.

The qualification means the youngsters are able to listen to problems of other pupils.

Inclusion officer at All Saints' School, Chris Nicholson, said: "They are not offering advice, they are there allowing the students with issues - which could be abuse at home or problems with homework - to talk about them.

"It has been proven that if you can come up with your own solutions it is better than suggested ones."

Updated: 09:49 Friday, July 25, 2003