Goodwill messages for ginger row girl

Support from around the world has poured in for a Shropshire girl who tried to bleach her ginger hair after being bullied at school.

Goodwill messages flooded in after 12-year-old Nicole Nagington's plight was revealed in the Shropshire Star last week. The youngster took the drastic decision to bleach her hair to try and fit in.

Her dad, Ian, pulled her out of Phoenix School in Telford eight weeks ago after she came home in tears claiming she was being bullied.

At the time, Phoenix School deputy headteacher Anne Keegan said that staff were not aware of Nicole being bullied until Mr Nagington came in to tell them and then pulled her out of school.

She added the school had lots of procedures in place to work with students and help them feel secure and safe.

The youngster's story made the national press and Mr Nagington said the response from around the world had been "overwhelming".

She has since been given a place at Wrockwardine Wood Arts College.

Mr Nagington said: "Wrockwardine Wood have been absolutely brilliant. I can't fault them. The headmaster even gave us a free school uniform because we'd already paid out for the one at the old school."

The family say they have received nothing but support from more than 300 people around the world commenting on the article on media websites.

Mr Nagington said: "We have had comments from as far as Australia and America telling Nicole that her red hair is beautiful."

A person called Elawshea posted a video clip on April 24 and it has more than 2,000 views.

The American said during the two minute clip: "Now, Nicole is a beautiful girl with the red hair and everything. Don't let anybody tell you that you're not.

"It don't matter if you've got red, purple, green, yellow, blue, pink, orange hair, you're still pretty."

Jess, from Arizona, said on another news website: "It's so sad that a beautiful child feels the need to change her appearance bec-ause some girls felt it necessary to poke fun at her."

Yaeli in Israel posted: "Nicole, you are perfect just as you are and don't believe anyone who tells you otherwise."

Mr Nagington said the comments had helped improve Nicole's confidence slightly.

He has approached a modelling agency in an attempt to get Nicole signed up for some work and one has shown an interest.

Mr Nagington said: "All the comments and coverage is helping but her confidence won't return overnight."

By Holly Evans