Actor Sir Ian McKellen will visit a county high school during this year’s anti-bullying week.

The star of stage and screen will visit Hanley Castle High School, near Upton-on-Severn, to help tackle homophobic bullying in schools.

Sir Ian, famous for his role as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings, will be at the school as part of the week-long campaign on Thursday.

The visit has been organised by Worcestershire County Council and Stonewall, one of the UK’s most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB) rights groups, of which Sir Ian is a founding member of and prominent spokesman.

Hannah Cridford, the council’s anti-bullying co-ordinator, said it was delighted to be welcoming the celebrated actor to the county.

“The visit not only demonstrates our commitment to helping address homophobia and homophobic bullying, but raising awareness and understanding of the issues for all communities in Worcestershire. This is also the first time we have held an event specifically for parents, carers and people, who work with children and young people and are hoping for a good turnout to what will be a very informative and worthwhile event,” she said.

The visit will help mark the county council signing up to Stonewall’s Education Champions programme, which aims to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and equality for LGB young people.

The theme of this year’s anti-bullying week is “stay safe in cyberspace”. As well as organising the special visit from Sir Ian, the council will reveal its new website, called Next Steps, and holding a special event for parents, carers and people who work with children and young people on Wednesday.

The free event will take place at St Peter’s Baptist Church in St Peter’s Drive, Worcester, in two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Activities include a cyber bullying play from a touring theatre company and presentations from partners, including West Mercia Police, about online safety.

Worcestershire County Council is one of the first authorities in the country to introduce a website that has been specifically designed to combat bullying. The site – worcester shire.gov.uk/nextsteps – features information and advice on tackling bullying and an electronic reporting system for people of all ages to log incidents of bullying online.

Booking for the stay safe in cyberspace event on Wednesday, November 17, is essential and must be done by Friday.

For a booking form, visit worcestershire.gov. uk/nextsteps, e-mail mro berts2@worcesterhire.gov.uk or call 01905 728909.