Almost 90 children have been excluded from city schools for bullying.

Nearly 25 pupils every year over the last four years have been removed from Brighton and Hove classrooms for the safety and protection of other pupils.

In one period between September 2007 and July 2008, 32 pupils were excluded from nine city secondary schools.

In all 89 pupils were excluded between September 2006 and July this year 2010.

During the same period, eight youngsters were excluded from primaries in the city.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the figures, produced under the Freedom of Information Act, were evidence of how seriously bullying is treated.