IF YOUR child is being bullied, or you think your child is being bullied, and you aren't sure what to do about it - then you are not alone.

Most parents and carers struggle to work their way through bullying episodes, often feeling unsure about what they should be doing and worrying if its the "right" thing or not.

Next Monday, November 16, sees the start of Anti-Bullying Week.

A locally-based educational publishing company, Southgate Publishers, has published a booklet for parents which could prove vital.

The booklet is called Bullying: A guide for parents.

Publisher, Drummond Johnstone, said: "This guide offers answers and advice in response to the most commonly asked, general questions about bullying, including up-to-date advice about bullying via texts and emails.

"The questions include:

How can I tell if my child is being bullied?

Why would my child try to hide bullying from me?

What do I need to find out from my child about the bullying?

What is the best way to approach a school?

What is cyberbullying?"

Mr Drummond said the booklet, written by Sian Morgan, is mostly aimed at parents of children aged from four to 11 years.

One other local aspect is that photographs used in the booklet were taken at Landscore Primary School, Crediton.

In conjunction with the booklet, a new website has been created to advise parents and give straightforward information and help.

Parents can go to the website (http://www.stopthespiral.com">http://www.stopthespiral.com) to get advice, to give feedback (that will be used to create other resources) and to access the booklet. The ISBN is 9 781857 411225 and the cost of the booklet is just £1.95.

WIN A COPY

Courtesy of Southgate Publishers, which is based in Sandford, the Courier has six copies of the book to be won by lucky readers in a competition.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy, simply answer the following question correctly and return your answer to: Bullying Guide competition, Crediton Country Courier, 102 High Street, Crediton EX17 3LF.

Question: Name the author of "Bullying: A Guide for Parents?"

Send your answer, with your name, address and a daytime telephone number, to the above mentioned address by Tuesday, November 24.

The first correct answers selected after that date will be the winners. Usual Courier competition rules apply. The decision of the Editorial Manager will be final.