A LECTURER hopes to become the first person in the country to earn a PhD for her research into the once-popular world of comics for girls.

Mel Gibson has studied the disappearance of titles such as Jackie, Bunty and Twinkle, and how modern girls have missed out on an important part of their childhood as a result.

Ms Gibson, a media studies lecturer, said: "I have spoken to lots of women who have fond memories of their childhood reading.

"In the Sixties and Seventies, girls' comics like Bunty and Jackie were selling one million copies a week - now there are none around.

''I wanted to find out why a culture that big vanished.''

The 38-year-old comics expert, who lectures at Sunderland University, believes strongly in the importance of comics for girls.

Ms Gibson, of South Shields, South Tyneside, said: "Girls are missing out on a whole series of adventures."

Heroines of girls' comics, such as Valda, who appeared in Mandy, or The Silent Three, who spent their time righting wrongs, were role models for youngsters, said Ms Gibson.

She found that in the 1980s, girls' magazines such as Bliss, Sugar and 17 took over the market, coinciding with the growth in consumer culture among pre-teens.

She said: ''These new magazines were filled with tips on make-up and pictures of pop and television stars, with little in the way of stories."

Ms Gibson will find out if she has achieved her PhD next month.