A TEENAGER whose dyslexia went undiagnosed for more than a decade says she is now having to fight to get the specialist support she is entitled to.

Experts only realised Stephanie Grimshaw, aged 17, had the condition last year.

The student, from Kearsley, now attends Bolton Sixth Form College, in Little Lever, but says she is struggling to get the equipment she needs to study effectively.

"It was a relief to find out what the problem was," said Stephanie.

"I was always told at school that I was stupid, but now I know that I am not.

"I left school with very few qualifications because I wasn't given any support, and I am still not being given the help I need."

Stephanie, who is studying English and maths together with a health and social vocational qualification, has ambitions to become a primary school teacher.

Her dyslexia was discovered after Stephanie's English teacher asked her to take a special test that revealed her spelling ability was similar to that of an 11-year-old.

The teenager has been told she now needs a lap-top computer - to allow her to write in larger font - and would also benefit from one-to-one tuition.

The UK Special Education Needs and Disability Act 2001 established legal rights for dyslexic students in pre and post-16 education.

But Stephanie claims Bolton Council, which is responsible for providing the equipment, will not help her.

"I was forgotten for a decade and still nothing is being done.

"I am entitled to an education the same as everyone else," she said.

Stephanie's mum Mandi is now battling with the local authority to have her other daughter, Zara, who attends St Stephen CE Primary School in Kearsley, tested for the condition.

Mandi, who lives with her daughters in Kearsley, said: "Zara is showing the same characteristics as Stephanie did at that age and I do not want her to go through the same experience. I'm proud of Stephanie for carrying on despite being told she was just stupid."

Bolton Council declined to comment on the issue.