EDUCATION chiefs have been urged to launch a full investigation into claims that a schoolgirl was the victim of a "happy slapping" attack.

Becky Smith, 16, was knocked unconscious after she was set upon by a gang of teenagers in Blackley.

Her family says the attack was filmed by onlookers using a video mobile phone in the latest example of the so-called "happy slapping" craze among youngsters across the country where victims are ambushed and their reaction filmed.

Becky's mother Georgina Smith says the video clip has been circulating around pupils at Plant Hill High School in Blackley.

Mrs Smith, 39, says she has reported a catalogue of bullying incidents against her daughter over the past year.

She has also passed on the names of pupils she suspects of being involved in the incident. But school staff say they are not looking into her claims because the street attack took place outside school hours and is being investigated by police.

Coun Simon Ashley, who heads the Liberal Democrat group at Manchester city council, described the school's approach as "unacceptable" and called for the local education authority to intervene.He said any youngster who is suspected of taking part in such a serious attack should be suspended until an investigation is complete.

Afraid

When asked about the attack, a spokesman for Plant Hill High School would only say: "This is a police matter which happened outside school."

Coun Ashley said he would be writing to chief education officer Mick Waters over the incident.

"I just don't think that this is acceptable," he said.

"Obviously the police have to do what they have to do and there could be criminal action, but I don't think there is any reason why the school shouldn't suspend any children they suspect of being involved - pending the outcome of the investigation."

Mrs Smith says her daughter - who will start her GCSEs next week - is now too afraid to go back into school.

And when Becky - who is on crutches and needs a plastic foot support to help her walk - takes her exams the school has arranged for her to sit in a room on her own.

A local education authority spokesman said: "We are looking into this. We treat very seriously all incidents that affect children."

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