A MOTHER whose young son was bullied at school today called for victims to receive more help after new figures revealed the problem was bigger than ever.

Charity ChildLine said bullying was the single biggest reason why youngsters contact its helpline -- accounting for one-in-four calls.

More than 31,000 children and young people spoke to a ChildLine counsellor about bullying in the 12 months to March this year, compared with just more than 21,000 the previous year.

In the same period, 2,714 youngsters in the North West called the helpline to receive counselling for bullying, a rise from 2,400 the year before.

The mother of a boy who was bullied at Whittlefield County Primary School, in Burnley, said she was not surprised the figures have gone up.

Christine Hezzlewood, 40, of Bread Street, said: "The new figures are really worrying and I can see them getting worse."

Her son, Daniel, 11, was bullied over several terms, and was even urinated on in the school toilets. He has since left the school.

Mrs Hezzlewood said: "There is still a big discrepancy in how schools deal with bullying, but unfortunately teachers hands are tied much of the time -- and the kids know it.

"Daniel's school work suffered and his confidence went. It was just bullied out of him.

"I just hope more people will realise how much bullying goes on and understand the damage it can cause. Children should be encouraged to speak up about it and have confidence that if they keep complaining someone will take notice and stop it happening."

Alison Mckay, a regional spokeswoman for ChildLine, said: "We are hearing from more and more children who have called from the North West worried about bullying, and there has been an increase across East Lancashire as well.

"We hope that it is because they are more aware of the helpline and know that they don't have to suffer in silence. It may be though that the level of bullying is on the increase."

The figures were revealed to coincide with a major ChildLine fund-raising push.