ART WORK created by people with mental health problems has gone on show at Chester-le-Street Civic Centre.

The paintings were created at a World Mental Health Day workshop at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland by people with mental health problems, children from local schools and the Flame Community Arts Group, based in Chester-le-Street.

The display is designed to show how taking part in creative activities can be beneficial for people's state of mind.

Rhonda Fenwick, arts development officer with Flame Community Arts Group said: "Everyone had a very stimulating day at Alnwick and we really enjoyed working with people from Northumberland. We hope to be able to organise more joint activities in the future.

"It has also created a fascinating exhibition and demonstrated how beneficial taking part in creative activities can be for our mental health. Flame Community Arts works with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and abilities.

"Mental health is one of the areas in which we have been involved since the inception of the project."

Paintings and photographs from the workshop will be on display at the council centre until next Tuesday.