The DAUGHTER of former Rangers striker Iain Ferguson has asked for public support in her campaign against cyber bullying.

Kelsey Ferguson, 30, broke her silence about the horrific abuse she received in school, as she fears the growth of social media plays a significant role in the increase in youngsters completing suicide.

Now mum to Archie, aged nine, the former Miss Britain finalist disclosed how she was beaten up, spat at and was subjected to verbal abuse as a teenager.

She spoke at her son’s school in Whiteinch to open up the conversation to children to get support if they are being bullied.

Kelsey received therapy following her ordeal, which started when she was at primary school.

She felt it got worse when social media took off when she was around 15. Today, she admits she still struggles to find lasting friendships.

Kelsey recently spoke to the BBC’s Kaye Adams programme, telling the presenter: “The history of bullying for me has been horrendous.

“Even my own parents didn’t realise how bad it was because I kept it to myself.

“It started as early as primary four when someone tripped me up on purpose and broke my arm.

“When it was at its worst, I actually thought I’m not getting out of this alive.”

She continued: “It’s much easier to bully now with fake online accounts, when you see Facebook now, you see people taking their life because they feel it’s the only way out. Something more needs to be done.”

Now, she wants the Scottish Government to take action to legislate against bullying and social media trolling.

Read more: Former bodybuilder David pumps iron at 61

She told the Post: “No one really knows the impact it has on someone.

“There has to be more help for parents. My mum was in bits watching me grow up being bullied.

“The verbal and physical abuse I’d face and then going home to my parents, who were getting divorced - I had no escape.”

Gil Paterson, Clydebank’s MSP, said: “I absolutely deplore bullying of all kind.”

He said the SNP government has funded anti-bullying charities and, in terms of legislation, the Equality Act (2010) provides protection against discrimination, harassment, and abuse in relation to ones sexuality, religion, race, disability, age etc.

But Mr Paterson added: “On bullying, and the new forms it has taken with the rise of social media, there is always more that can be done.

“I wish Kelsey Ferguson well in her mission and will certainly look at any detailed proposals on how to tackle bullying.”