A POP starlet who beat the bullies to launch herself on the road to fame today kicked off the Evening Mail's Bullying Kills campaign.

Lhamea Lall, from Minstead Road, Erdington, suffered three years of hell and was finally forced to switch schools to escape her persecutors.

Now the singer, who is studying for a BTec in music technology, performs her own compositions at anti-bullying events across the country.

Today the 17-year-old was hard at work on her latest tune, which will be dedicated to our bid to beat the bullies.

Lhamea's father, Chief, said his heart went out to the family of Anna Marie Averill, whose death after eight months of torment at the hands of school bullies in Bartley Green sparked our campaign.

"People must be strong and not let the bullies win. You can achieve your goals by being strong," he said.

Lhamea's problems began when she moved to Stockland Green School, in Erdington, at 11.

Mr Lall said she was picked on by other pupils jealous of her talent and was punched in the face the day before she was due to be filmed for the Music of Black Origin awards. She transferred to Heartlands High School and is now studying at Solihull College.

Lhamea's courage won the hearts of Evening Mail readers last June when she was named a Local Hero for her tireless anti-bullying work. "I want to inspire people with my music and I like helping others," she said.