The council says there may need to be alternative approaches

He was responding to a question by Labour MP Dan Norris (Wansdyke) who said the authority had issued the advice as part of anti-bullying week.

Tony Blair said he "profoundly disagreed" with the council's move.

A council spokeswoman said it offered "a wide range of advice" to help schools manage bullying incidents.

She said: "Bullying is a complex matter. In the guidelines we do not advocate or promote any single method - we simply point schools in the direction of a range of options that may be appropriate for individual circumstances.

That is an extraordinary thing to do and I am shocked by it Tony Blair

"The guidelines firmly refer to the use of sanctions, where this is appropriate and will work.

"However, it also indicates that in some cases there may need to be an alternative approach and refers to the so-called 'No Blame Approach' as one option that might be followed by a school if the circumstances dictate."

Mr Norris asked the Prime Minister on Wednesday's Question Time : "Can I ask you what message you have to those who adopt a 'no-blame' approach, an approach in my view which is dangerous, reckless, does nothing for the victims and does nothing to make bullies change their behaviour?"

Mr Blair responded, saying: "I profoundly disagree with the decision that council has taken.

"Bullying should be punished, children who bully must be made to understand the harm they have been doing.

"Even for them (the Liberal Democrats) that is an extraordinary thing to do and I am shocked by it."