HOSPITAL patients have been showing off their creative skills at a craft fair.

Work completed by patients attending the skills centre at the County Hospital, in Durham, were showcased at the fair last Thursday.

The patients are all receiving treatment at the hospital's day and community units, run by County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, which looks after people with mental health problems, drug problems and learning disabilities.

The fair was aimed at promoting the projects the patients are involved with and raising money for future schemes.

Sandy Taylor, chief executive of the trust, was among those attending, along with representatives from outside agencies.

Robert Chatwin, technical instructor in the hospital's occupational therapy department, said: "We hoped this event would promote the therapeutic benefits for our patients in attending the skills centre and we also thought it would show the benefits of work rehab programmes and showcase the excellent work being produced."