THE mother of a teenage girl whose life was made a misery by school bullies, has paid tribute to the friends who helped her through the trauma.

In a letter to the Star, the woman, who does not wish to be named, told how her 13-year-old daughter had been taunted by one particular gang because she suffered from acne.

The mum, from Newton-le-Willows, explained: "Doctors said that my daughter's acne, which has been horrendous, was the result of the onset of puberty at an early age. At one time you couldn't even see the skin on her face because of the acne.

"The last time we went to the doctors she was given some really strong medication and cream and her face is now a lot better and her chest and arms are virtually clear.

"However, the medication did have really bad side-effects. The skin on her face went really red, dry and sore and started to crack, but she still insisted on going to school.

"It was only then that I found out from my daughter's friends that she was being victimised by another girl and her group at school because of the acne. Yet in all that she hadn't complained to me once. It was only after her friends told me what was going that she showed how upset she was.

"I complained to the school and they seem to have e sorted the situation out. But if it hadn't been for my daughter's friends I don't think she would have been able to cope as well as she has done. I can't thank them enough. It''s nice to know that although some children can be really cruel, others more than make up for them."