HUNDREDS of Bolton teachers are thought to be suffering from stress and anxiety, according to a helpline.

Many teachers are believed to have sought support and counselling over the past couple of years because levels of stress have been so high.

Education experts claim the needs of teachers are being neglected in schools, which is leading to loss of confidence and motivation, physical and mental health problems, and more teachers calling in sick.

Since 2000, nearly 5,500 teachers in the North-west have called the free confidential Teacher Support Line, with a signficant amount coming from Bolton.

Patrick Nash, chief executive of Teacher Support Network, said it was all too easy for schools to neglect staff. "Teaching is a very stressful profession and, while the pupils are the centre of all initiatives, it is easy for the well being of school staff to be neglected," he said. "This leads to an overall negative impact on education in this country."

The North-west has a relatively low turnover of teaching staff -- 13.2 per cent compared with a national average of 15.3 per cent -- but education experts are warning that as pressure on staff increases, the situation could get worse.

Mr Nash is calling for schools to make the well being of teachers a priority. He said: "If a school takes an active approach to looking after the needs of their staff, many problems can be reduced."

Teacher Support Line can be contacted on 08000 562 561 and is available to all teachers in England.

We need to encourage our schools to prioritise the wellbeing of their most valuable resource -- their teachers.

" "The prime factor driving teachers away from the profession is lack of emotional and moral support they get in school," he said.