NEXT week is National Anti-Bullying Week and a Devon-based anti-bullying charity has won the praise of Central Devon MP Mel Stride (right).

He hosted a meeting in Westminster with Devon and Cornwall Police Inspector Ryan Doyle, former Devon High Sheriff John Lee and Children’s Minister Edward Timpson to discuss their charity work with Local Heroes, and Mr Stride and the minister pledged to promote the charity’s work and suggest sources for additional funding.

To the fore is the charity’s key role in tackling intolerance and discrimination within schools and its efforts in tackling bullying and reducing hate crimes.

It uses ‘local heroes’ such as sportsmen and women as well as celebrities to deliver the message that bullying and hate crimes should not be tolerated.

So rapidly has the scheme grown in recent years, around 50 schools across Devon will be covered in the coming 12 months.

‘Local Heroes is an outstanding local charity and I was delighted to join Insp Doyle and Mr Lee as they briefed the minister on the success of their programme and how they are looking to roll out initiatives in other parts of the country,’ said Mr Stride.

He added that National Anti-Bullying Week would help raise awareness about bullying and encourage people to speak out.

Mr Stride said especially important was the emphasis on tackling cyber-bullying which can affect both children and adults and had become a bigger problem due to increased social media use.

The official anti-bullying pack as well as teaching resources for schools can be found at www.antibullyingweek. co.uk.