AN EXHIBITION portraying the healing effect of art on mental health has gone on show at Chester-le-Street Civic Centre.

The work was created by people with mental health problems, children and community arts group Flame Community Arts, at a World Mental Health Day workshop at Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland.

The artworks are designed to show how taking part in creative activities can be beneficial for people.

Rhonda Fenwick, of Flame Community Arts, 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."

The paintings will be on display until Tuesday