A Teesside service that cares for young people with dementia has been shortlisted for a national award.

Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust's Young Onset Dementia Team is on a shortlist of three for a mental health award in the Health Service Journal annual awards - from 800 entries across the country.

The Young Onset Dementia Team, which helps to diagnose and support people on Teesside who develop dementia before they are 65, was set up as a joint project with Stockton Social Services and the Alzheimer's Society, thanks to Health Action Zone Innovations funding.

Before the team was set up three years ago, it could take months for people to be diagnosed with early onset dementia, now the team has helped to reduce waiting times to eight weeks.

As well as assessment and treatment, the team helps to co-ordinate a range of services than can help patients and their families, and provides them with information and support.

Don Brechin, team leader, said: "It's been a brilliant year for the team. We've won the Innovations award, been highly commended by the national institute and had our service permanently funded. Being shortlisted for this national award is the icing on the cake for us."

The team find out next month if they have won. An overall winner will receive the Prime Minister's Award.