A TEN-year-old North Yorkshire girl is leading a battle to highlight the issue of bullying across more than 120 schools.

Lauren Ramsey, a pupil at Brotherton and Byram Primary School won a county-wide competition, run by Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), to design an anti-bullying poster.

Her colourful creation beat off competition from hundreds of other entries and will now appear in primary schools throughout the county.

Selby and York PCT, which is responsible for the provision of mental health services throughout the area, organised the competition to raise awareness of bullying.

Garry Millard, director of mental health and social inclusion at the PCT, said: "Bullying is an issue that can affect everyone.

"It is important that children are given the message that it is wrong to bully and that if they are being bullied they must tell an adult.

"We believe it is an important issue to tackle."

Children from 121 primary schools took part in the competition to design the poster on the slogan Bullying Isn't Cool.

The PCT joined forces with the local education authorities (LEAs) at City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council for the campaign.

Each poster has a space at the corner so the school can write contact details where pupils can go for support if needed.

Mr Millard added: "The response to the competition was excellent.

"The level of entries was extremely high and the judging panel found it very difficult to choose a winner."

Lauren won £25 worth of book vouchers for her artistic efforts and £250 worth of sports vouchers for her school.

Updated: 10:51 Thursday, April 15, 2004