A group of teenagers have been described as “a credit to the borough” after launching a campaign against homophobic bullying.

Five Year 11 pupils at George Mitchell School, in Farmer Road, Leyton, have taken to social media in a bid to challenge prejudice and educate their peers.

They have also created a short video which has been shown to pupils at the school, which they hope will be screened across the borough.

There has been a decrease in incidents of homophobic bullying since the Stop Discrimination campaign was launched at the beginning of last month, it is claimed.

Student Monika Lupeibaite, 15, started the campaign to mark LGBT month.

She said: "At this school we have also been taught very important values of tolerance and diversity and respect for personal freedom.

“The support we have been given for this project has been a huge part of its success.

"Stop Discrimination is aimed at eradicating all prejudices but is particularly focused on homophobic bullying.

"In multi-cultural places like Waltham Forest, we have come a very long way with fighting racial discrimination and we should be proud of that.

"We now have to employ that same vigour to tackle discrimination based on sexuality.

“It is about educating teenagers, particular the younger ones.

"It has had a real impact here because when people truly understand what their words can do they are capable of changing their behaviour."

The other pupils taking part in the campaign are Jamal Elliott, 15, Zara Azmat, 16, Abubaker Jeilani, 16, and Jugal Mayavova, 15.

The campaign has been backed by their headteacher Saeed Hussain.

He said: "These young people are truly a credit to the school and to the borough of Waltham Forest.

"They are perhaps the finest example of young people really embracing the core values being taught at this school of tolerance and respect.

"This project was entirely their own idea. What they have managed to achieve in a short space of time is truly remarkable.”

For more information follow on Twitter @sdiscrimination or search #stopdiscrimination.