BULLYING and animal cruelty top the list of issues children would like to see on the agenda in the run-up to the General Election.
More than a third (36%) of youngsters aged between nine and 13 say bullying and violence in schools and treatment of animals is their most important issue.
Crime (34%) came second in the survey, compiled for the Cartoon Network television channel.
Immigration (5%) and the economy (4%) proved the least popular issues, after world peace (24%) and better school dinners (23%).
One in five children (20%) worried about global terrorism.
The research found that 15% of those interviewed did not recognise any of the three main party leaders.
While 68% could name Tony Blair, only 6% recognised photos of Conservative leader Michael Howard and just 1% knew the identity of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.
The youngsters put footballer Wayne Rooney as their first choice for prime minister, followed by novelist JK Rowling's fictional creation, Harry Potter.
The top five children's issues:
Bullying and violence in schools (36%)
Animal cruelty (36%)
Crime (34%)
World peace (24%)
Better school dinners (23%)
The top five choices for Prime Minister:
Wayne Rooney (15%)
Harry Potter (12%)
Former Busted singer Charlie Simpson (10%)
Danny Jones from boyband McFly (8%)
Tony Blair (8%)
