BOYS generally under-achieve at school compared with girls -- but Horwich author Claire Gillman may have the answer.

Schools are not, says Claire, catering for boys' needs.

"Teachers are struggling to cope with increased paperwork and national targets," she points out.

"And, with the best will in the world, the net result is that instead of teaching creatively and with enthusiasm, they often end up putting what little time and energy they have left into making sure that girls achieve and boys behave."

Her book, "The Best of Boys", offers practical advice, including information on dealing with school, confused emotions and discovering sexuality.

Claire believes that boys have responded to girls' "superior academic achievements" by becoming less motivated, messing around rather than facing failure or peer group scorn and even opting out of education altogether. "It seems that in education girls compete and boys retreat".

Claire and husband Nick have two boys, Alex, aged 10 and seven-year-old George who are pupils at Claypool Primary School in Horwich.

Claire, aged 44, a journalist, gleaned information from psychologists and other parents. She recognised that boys' problems were very different from girls.

Claire's own sons are well mannered, well-adjusted boys. Like any other siblings, they argue, squabble and fight with each other but, she says, deep down they are are incredibly kind-hearted.

She intends that they should grow into well-adjusted, kind-hearted young men and hopes her research will help her to understand them better -- as well as helping other parents.

Claire has written books before. She has also written for magazines and, under a different name has penned several children's books.

She moved to Horwich from London eight years ago as a result of 42-year-old Nick's work -- he is a director of a charity that works with inner city youth -- and would not choose to live anywhere else.

Claire says: "I have to go back to London from time to time to get my fix but there is no better place to bring up children than here in the North-west. I love Bolton."

The Best of Boys is published by Panmacmillan and available in paperback at most bookshops priced £8.99.