POLICE at Risley have assured the community that an anti-bullying scheme, launched just one month ago, will continue, despite the shock resignation of its creator.

The Bully Watch scheme was the brainchild of popular Risley Community Support Officer Tom Orr.

He came up with the idea of handing out cards to schoolchildren listing numbers they could call for help.

He had planned to visit schools in the Poulton with Fearnhead ward to speak about the scheme and talk to pupils about bullying.

But just weeks after the scheme was launched at Cinnamon Brow Primary School, parish councillors and teachers were stunned to learn that CSO Orr had resigned.

Fears that the scheme, backed and part funded by Poulton with Fearnhead parish council, would be scrapped has resurfaced concerns over policing in the area .

But Inspector Stuart Woodcock, head of the Risley division, told the Warrington Guardian that the Bully Watch scheme had not been abandoned.

He said: "The Bully Watch scheme is very much still in action.

"Tom's role will be taken over by other community support officers at Risley who will be going into schools in the area to talk about the scheme.

"If it proves to be a success then it will be rolled out across the town."

Parish and borough councillor Mick Curran said: "Tom's resignation came completely out of the blue.

"One minute he was there, the next he wasn't. He was very popular in the community and did so much good work. He will be really missed.

"He was always very proactive and eager to help. He was always very proactive and eager to help. Now that he's gone the community is worried that's the last contact we'll have with the police."

Insp Woodcock added: "We have looked at the problems parish councillors have told us about but there are other communities with worse issues."