Sir Ian McKellen has been revisiting his roots, as he paid his hometown of Wigan a visit, to help Golborne High School launch their anti homophobic bullying campaign.

Sir Ian McKellen, who is involved in Stonewall's Education For All campaign, has visited several schools over 2008 to help Stonewall - the gay rights organisation - promote gay tolerance and anti homophobic bullying.

McKellen said: "It is essential to talk to 12 and 13 year olds because they absorb what's thrown at them, whether it be homophobia or tolerance - and we have to make sure it's the positive stuff.”

Wigan Council have signed up to Stonewall's Education Champions Programme, which provides support and guidance to local authorities in tackling homophobia and homophobic bullying in their local schools.

In 2007, Stonewall’s School Report studied the experiences of young gay people in British schools, and found that almost two thirds of young lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have experienced direct bullying. It also found that over half of lesbian and gay pupils don’t feel able to be themselves at school.