Children at a comprehensive in Greater London have backed ministers' plans to crack down on persistent bullies.

At Heston Community School in West London, many were in favour of a tougher approach to those who brought in weapons or kept bullying other children.

"It will stop the problem," says Simranjit

One pupil, Simranjit, told BBC News that for some offenders - expulsion was the only answer.

"It's not good that they are allowed back into school," she said.

"They could just pick another victim and get sent out again for another week and then come back again."

Minak says expulsions, rather than suspensions, will help other children get on with their studies.

Harleen: "Keep them in school"

He said: "The person that has been bullied can get depressed and sad and might take his anger out on someone else and turn into a bully themselves.

"Expelling bullies will help everyone, not just the one who was bullied, by helping us carry on with our education."

Diana agreed that bullies should not be allowed to disturb other children.

"If they are very bad then they should be expelled forever," she said.

"They should not be allowed to disturb others," says Diana

"They should not be allowed back in because they might bully other people."

Harleen was one of the few children who did not think it was right to force bullies out of their school.

"If they are gone forever it might not be that good because they will carry on outside of school and there will be more trouble."

"You can punish them and they will know not to do it again.

"At least in school there are teachers around to stop it."