A PERMANENT art exhibition by people with mental health problems has gone on show in Durham.

The display is based at the Northern Centre for Mental Health, off Claypath, and consists of artwork produced by mental health groups from across the North-East.

People using the Day Unit at Durham County Hospital, in Durham, South Tyneside Arts Studio, Waddington Street Art Group, in Durham, and South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust, have contributed work.

The exhibition opened yesterday and included vibrant paintings, collages and photography.

Art has a therapeutic value for people with mental health problems by building self-confidence and helping them interact with othpeople.

One mental health worker at the exhibition opening, Jim Armstrong, who works with adult acute patients at St Nicholas Hospital, in Gosforth, Newcastle, said he witnessed a great change in patients who took up creative studies in less than three months. Many of them have gone on to work with other art studios or return to education.

Martin Brown, chief executive of the Northern Centre for Mental Health said: "Some of the work is truly outstanding and visitors to our building will now be able to experience the wealth of creativity in our region.

"Mental illness can be difficult to cope with, but it is amazing the therapeutic benefits that art can bring. I hope that by displaying this work, we can help to improve people's understanding of mental health."