TWO new anti-bullying experts have been appointed to a new government alliance aimed at cutting the number of children being picked on in their formative years.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance was announced in July by Education Minister Ivan Lewis and two of nine North West co-ordinators have been appointed.

Andrew Ritchie and Mel Goddard will develop strategies for Lancashire and further afield to tackle bullying and share ideas among schools.

But knowing what to do if your child is the victim of bullies is not easy.

Raising children's self esteem and teaching them how to be assertive can help prevent them becoming the victim of bullies and from being bullies themselves.

If your child has been taught about rights then he is more likely to talk to someone if he has been bullied. Children need to know that if they are being bullied they should not remain silent. Children are more likely to confide in you as the parent rather than a teacher.

Bullying can take different forms -- physical intimidation, name-calling, isolation from their peer group, spreading rumours or racist comments. Be vigilant of the signs: Unexplained cuts and bruises, an unwillingness to go to school, a desire to be driven to school or to go by a different route, falling off in schoolwork and lack of interest in school generally, mood changes and withdrawal, behavioural changes, your child asking for money, dramatic changes in friendships.

Remember there could be a perfectly innocent reason for changes and there are two sides to a story but there is support available. The Anti Bullying campaign week begins on November 22.