A YATE mum has received an award for her work in helping combat bullies.

Mother-of-three Julie Oakley set up national organisation Bullywatch, 10 years ago after her 15-year-old daughter attempted suicide after being bullied.

She discovered there was a lack of support for the victims of bullying and their parents or carers, so decided to establish her own helpline in an attempt to stop other children suffering in the same way.

She later developed a website and over the years has been contacted by people from all over the country.

Now Mrs Oakley has been recognised for her efforts.

She and pupils at Chipping Sodbury School, where she works, received a surprise visit from Bob Crampton and the ITV West Country Tonight film crew.

Mr Crampton was there to present Mrs Oakley with the South West Region Local Hero award, one of the categories in the annual Pride of Britain awards.

Mrs Oakley said: "I am really proud to have won the local hero Pride of Britain award for the South West and am looking forward to the final in London in October. It means so much that my work on anti-bullying has been recognised."

Earlier this month the Evening Post reported that Mrs Oakley was planning an anti-bullying conference in Bristol – but first needs funding to pay for it.

She said the economic climate was making it difficult to raise the money for the conference, which will mainly be for parents and carers.

She had hoped to hold it this autumn but time has now put it back to next spring in order to raise the funding through sponsorship and events such as an auction.

Anyone can help, including companies, can visit www.bullywatch.org or call the hotline on 01454 318753.