A CARE trust has won a national award after staging a music and arts festival for people with mental health problems.

LYNFEST, held last year by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, has earned a Breaking Down Barriers/Tackling Stigma accolade.

The honour, in the National Service User Awards, was handed over at a ceremony at Old Trafford, Manchester.

The festival – at Lynfield Mount Hospital, Bradford – was the first of its kind organised by the trust, which operates the Centre for Mental Health in the grounds of Airedale Hospital.

More than 100 people – including patients, carers and staff – attended.

Chris Weston, head occupational therapist with the trust's specialist inpatient services, said: "I am delighted that LYNFEST has won.

"The festival brought together people from a range of mental health services.

"Patients were involved in many roles, from having the initial idea and planning and delivering the festival to performing music, poetry and displaying their artwork.

"Everyone involved found it motivating and engaging."