A North Carolina woman said school officials lifted the ban on her 9-year-old son's "My Little Pony" backpack and are introducing new anti-bullying measures.

Noreen Bruce of Asheville said she met with Buncombe County Schools administrators Thursday and they agreed to allow her son, Grayson, to resume using his "My Little Pony" backpack, which they had earlier told him not to bring to school because it "triggers bullying," the Asheville Citizen-Times reported Friday.

"We are considering all options for getting Grayson back in school," Bruce said Thursday. "We are pleased the school system is working closely with us."

School administrators released a statement saying Bruce would be involved in creating "a safety transition plan and an allowance for Grayson to bring the bookbag to school."

"My Little Pony" is a cartoon franchise that has been primarily marketed to young girls since the early 1980s. However, in recent years an unexpected fan base has emerged among boys and young men, called "Bronies."

UPI