PEOPLE in the North-East and across the country are adding blue hearts to their names on Twitter to show support for the NHS. 

NHS millions, a group which supports the work of the NHS and is run by NHS staff, launched the initiative, alongside the hashtag #NHSBlueHeart as a way to show solidarity with healthcare workers.

Launching the initiative on Twitter, the group wrote: "We are devastated by the abuse NHS staff are getting on Twitter.

"Staff need your support now more than ever. If you stand with the NHS and its staff please you will help turn Twitter blue and pop an #NHSblueheart on your name on your profile.

"Let’s get this trending, pls RT!"

Thousands have backed the appeal to show solidarity, with the tweet seeing 7,100 retweets, 1,500 quote tweets and 10,600 likes from accounts across the country. 

People are also urged to leave messages of support for the NHS under #NHSBlueHeart - a hashtag that, according to the group, was trending within minutes of the appeal. 

People from across the North-East have voiced their support, including NHS workers themselves. 

An account tagging South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said it was "wonderful" to be vaccinating trust staff.

Other accounts shone a light on the treatment of frontline workers, while one paid tribute to his mum.