HUNDREDS of protestors gathered outside a Bury high school this afternoon demanding further investigations into the death of a 12-year-old pupil.

Shukri Abdi drowned last Thursday in a section of the River Irwell near Dunster Street, and police put the incident down to a tragic accident.

However, campaigners - including girl's mother Zamzam Ture - say Shukri was bullied while attending Broad Oak High School, in Hazel Avenue, and have called on the school to investigate further.

They also claim that her death is suspicious, particularly because she could not swim. This has prompted calls for the police to reopen their inquiries.

Protestors gathered in front of the gates of Broad Oak at around 3pm, carrying banners and chanting "Justice for Shukri", following the girl's funeral earlier in the day and a ceremony held at Noor Ul Islam Mosque.

The school was empty, with pupils having been sent home earlier in the day.

Redvales councillor Shaheena Haroon, who also serves as deputy mayor of Bury, said: "Our thoughts and our prayers are with the parents.

"I think there's more to this than people have said."

Shukri's aunt, Aubax Cabdi, also attended the protest.

She said: "Shukri has not been given her rights. She was bullied and the school has not done anything. I'm so upset."

In the wake of the incident, a petition calling on Bury MP James Frith and Bury Council to investigate bullying policies at the school has been signed by more than 32,000 online.

A spokesman from Broad Oak, sent out a statement to parents at the school last week to confirm that they would be investigating the family's claims.

A statement from the school said: "We are currently working with Shukri’s family in respect of any concerns which have been raised about the school. As the school was taken into the Oak Learning Partnership Multi Academy Trust in April of this year, the trust leadership under CEO, Elaine Parkinson, will be reviewing all policies and procedures at the school, in particular we will focus on the schools anti-bullying policy and procedures and other policies relating to the welfare of children. The Trust will ensure they engage with its community and co-produce policies and procedures that are well understood by all.

"In addition we have been working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire Service, Healthy Young Minds (NHS), The Educational Psychology Team, Bury Social Care and Bury Local Authority to ensure all our young people are supported at this time. We have a daily support programme in place to work with those young people directly or indirectly affected by this tragedy.

"We have also met with Bury councillors who represent East Ward in order to discuss how we support the community."

Despite the school's statement, members of the community and other campaigners feel that needs to be done to investigate Shukri's.

Farida Anderson, from Prestwich, had travelled to the protests and said parts of the community in Bury feel like they have been left behind by authorities.

She said: "I think people are demonstrating because they feel like if it was someone with blonde hair and blue eyes there would be more of an investigation."

Nobody has been arrested in relation to the investigation.

An inquest into the death of the schoolgirl, who moved to the UK with her family from Somali in 2017, is due to open on Tuesday, July 9.