ART and exercise will come together this week when Hartlepool people are urged to join in events to celebrate World Mental Health day.

The link between mental and physical health is the central theme of a week of events, which begins with a guided walk around the Marina.

The first 100 people to register for the walk tomorrow will be given a free T-shirt and step-o-meter by sports development staff from Hartlepool Primary Care Trust.

Walkers can register from 10am at the bandstand between the old Docks Office and the Holiday Inn. The walk starts at 11am and is due to finish around noon at the Grand Hotel, where hot soup will be available and walkers can relax with an Indian head massage or manicure provided by young people from Catcote School from 12.30pm-1.30pm.

The hotel is the venue for the next event on World Mental Health Day - the third annual exhibition and auction of artwork by people with mental health problems who attend the Brooklyn Day Centre, in Hartlepool.

Work by schoolchildren on the theme of mental health awareness will also be on show, and work by youngsters in contact with the Child and Mental Health Service in Hartlepool.

The auction, with Tom McAlpine from mental health charity Mind as auctioneer, starts at 1.30pm.

Published: 07/10/2004