FORMER Hindley schoolboy Neil Marr never forgot the tragic story of Steven Shepherd - Britain's first recorded bullycide.

It was 1967 when the sad and broken 11-year-old boy walked 10 miles from his home in nearby Higher Ince to strawberry fields that made him happy - and stayed there forever.

He threw away his glasses and shoes on the way and lay in a ditch willing himself to die - to escape the nightmare bullying that ruined his little life.

At his school they laughed at the frail lad who wore clinic classes and wore Rupert Bear pants. Bullies beat him up, weed in his shoes, whacked him with a plank and broke his arm - just for a laugh.

It was 51 days before his body was found, ending an intensive murder hunt.

He had lain in his cherished field in Newburgh as police searched in vain for clues to a murderous pervert who never existed - in the criminal sense.

The coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure, cause of death exposure. They didn't have bullycide in those days and coroners still don't have that option today.

That is something Neil and Tim Field, his co-author in a hard-hitting new book, "Bullycide Death at Playtime" want to change.

The book is the culmination of international journalist Neil's 34-year yearning to expose an unidentified killer in the playground.

He linked up with Tim, one of the country's authorities on the subject, for the project which should be read by every worried parent and adult in childcare, education and social work.

The book out next month is the first in-depth study of bullycide - a word coined by the authors to describe when bullied children chose suicide rather than face another day of harrassment or abuse.

Already Esther Rantzen's research team have been in touch and moves are underway to make a BBC show based on the book which will go out in April.

The ground breaking work provides the first realistic statisics on bullycide :

At least 16 children a year take their own lives

reveals the extent of school bullying and its fatal consequences

identifies risks children face at school

exposes the scale of denial at official level

offers insight, ideas and guidance from leading experts.

The book, has an introduction by comedienne Jo Brand and stories of bullying from stars including Prince Naseem, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Cliff Richard, Olympic gold medallist Tessa Sanderson, Craig Charles, Wayne Sleep and even Sir Richard Branson.

Neil, now based in Monaco, said: "I came across my first case of bullycide as a cub reporter thirty-four years ago and kept a private watching brief.

"Then I noticed what appeared to be a sudden spate in the UK four years ago, and flew in to investigate.

He said: "It quickly became clear that this was just the tip of an iceberg. I was dealing with an epidemic that no one wanted to admit existed. I delved and dug and contacted everyone I could think of. Luckily I found I wasn't alone. Other people were becoming aware of the syndrome even though they hadn't yet spoken out.

"They have now in our book. One leading child care worker alone told me she'd personally dealt with about 100 cases of bullycide.

"One thing that really impressed me during research on the book was how - once they learned they were far from alone and need feel no guilt - the family and friends of victims opened up to me so wholeheartedly."

Neil covered Great Britain investigating the sad stories of children who have been driven to take their own lives, including the youngest eight-years-old Marie Bentham, who was found hanging by the neck from her own skipping rope after being sent to her bedroom for refusing to go back to school.

Both authors are surprised that no-one has investigated bullycide before and they have complied a caseload which paints a terrifying picture.

All schools are now legally obliged to have an anti-bullying policy in place, but it is only as effective as the commitment behind it.

One Metro deputy head, Carol Close, whose Lame Duck scheme works said: "The bully wants attention and to feel important so he belittles the weaker child. We just redirect him. We team him up with his victim and make him the protector. He can still command importance but for a much better reason. He becomes the hero instead of the villain.

The common thread through this book is that education authorities do not take the problem seriously - and teachers themselves are not immune to intimidation.

The book will be available in bookshops shortly or can be ordered from the publishers at Success Unlimited, PO Box 67, Didcot, OX11 9YS or on line at www.successunlimited.co.uk.uk/books.