Gordon Brown has vowed to take action on bullying in schools and give full support to teachers who physically restrain aggressive pupils when he becomes Prime Minister.

He also announced plans to extend the powers that schools have to enforce detentions and suspensions, and deal with the problem of bullying that occurs on the way to and from school.

Mr Brown joined teachers, parents and pupils in a nationwide stand against bullying which took place on Friday at 10am. The Big Stand organised, by Beatbullying, was intended as a "national sign of defiance and solidarity against bullying", say organisers.

Beatbullying supporter Dame Kelly Holmes said: "Millions of children get bullied every year, and it's terrible - lives are actually ruined."

She added: "Over a million people took place in this campaign last year and we're hoping that more will."

Children at St Johns Church of England Primary School, in Croydon, south London, were among those who took part in the Big Stand with Mr Brown.

Christians have also been united in their stand against bullying. The Methodist Church, Scripture Union, the Church of England, the United Reformed Church and children's charity NCH were all involved with the Building Strong Towers events in March to help child victims of bullying.

Doug Swanney of MethodistChildren said at the time, "Life has always been hard for many children but it seems even tougher these days. Family problems and divorce, pressure at school and the expectations of society can add up to an impossible burden for children. We have a duty to help them in ways that they want."