Shocking anti-bullying ad launched in cinemas, online

London, Jan 14 (ANI): An anti-bullying advert, which has been deemed too shocking to be shown on TV, has been launched in cinemas and online.

The ad, which is part of a 1.2 million pounds campaign launched by children's charity Beatbullying in memory of bullied schoolgirl Megan Gillan, will be shown in cinemas before films rated 12A and above.

The 15-year-old, a student at Macclesfield High School in Cheshire, took a fatal overdose of painkillers after being bullied on social networking site Bebo.

The film, which includes scenes where a teenage girl sews her own mouth shut, has been endorsed by Megan's family who said they hope "no other family suffers the loss we have".

The advert promotes a website, cybermentors.org.uk, which allows young people who have been bullied to help each other and discuss their problems.

A spokeswoman for Clearcast, which decides which adverts can be shown on British television, said it was felt some scenes would be viewed as offensive.

"We are proud of this advert and the way it makes you stop and understand the impact bullying can have on its victims," the Daily Express quoted Beatbullying's chief executive, Emma-Jane Cross, as saying.

"But we were disappointed that Clearcast refused to let this advert go on to TV.

"We know that 69 percent of young people have been bullied and it is imperative that people know cybermentors.org.uk is there to give them support.

"If just one more vulnerable young person gets the help they need from CyberMentors, then all of the hard work and generous donations put into this advert will be proved worthwhile," she said.

Megan's family released a statement, which said: "We believe Megan would have supported and benefited from CyberMentors, so this dedication is a fitting legacy and one which, we hope, means no other families must suffer the loss we have." (ANI)