Mental Health Awareness Week, a campaign to make Halton a mentally healthier place to live, was launched today.

The Mayor of Halton Cllr Ged Philbin opened this year’s event at Runcorn Shopping Centre.

A pop-up one-stop-shop brings together a range of services to help the public achieve and maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.

Free events will be held across Runcorn and Widnes throughout May to showcase services and organisations which offer support.

Halton Health Improvement Team supported by Citizens Advice Halton, Venus Charity, Anita Morris and Murray the owl from Hackback, Mental Health Outreach team and the Send Partnership will be at the shopping centre every day this week from 9.30am to 6pm.

Groups and organisations will be at Widnes Market on Wednesday, May 17 and Thursday, May 18 for people to come along and have a chat and discover the range of support available.

A free family social event is being held at The Studio on Lacey Street, Widnes, tonight, Monday, from 6pm to 9pm.

Support services will be on hand to provide information.

Four local groups will be performing and free hot food will be available.

Visitors are asked to bring something to donate to the foodbank in return.

More than 20 primary schools have entered the Great Halton Bake Off contest, encouraging pupils to bake a healthy treat.

Baking is a great way for children and adults to share time together and talk about how they are feeling.

Each school will be selecting a finalist to bake at a live final at the Select Security Stadium and be judged by the mayor Cllr Philbin.