NOT every child is a great fan of school, which can sometimes lead to tensions at home. Youngsters can end up playing truant and are often off school with the permission of their parents.

But help is at hand from independent specialists, such as Carol Hargreaves from the organisation "Achieve".

The former teacher, who has many years experience of working with children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, said: "There are lots of easy techniques you can use to help lower the emotional temperature, to reduce panicky feelings and to overcome the difficulties you are having."

For more information, call Achieve on 01772 860050, or visit the websites www.repsych.ac.uk or www.youngminds.org.uk