A NEW anti-bullying policy is to be introduced in Bury.

Education bosses hope that it will enable a consistent approach to be taken by the borough's schools when tackling the bullying problem.

Currently, individual schools already have their own policy, but governing bodies are expected to adopt the new guidelines.

Schools, staff, parents and governors will all have a part to play and it will be made clear to the victims themselves that it is "OK to tell" and that they will receive practical help if they do so.

Following consultation with teaching associations, unions and council officers, the policy was drawn up and is expected to be adopted next month.

Councillor Tim Chamberlain, chairman of the lifelong learning and culture scrutiny and review panel said: "Bullying is clearly something that we need to guard against and hopefully this policy will help achieve this."