A health and wellbeing programme designed to help people in North Tyneside recognise the health benefits of dance and drama has received local authority backing.

North Tyneside Council is supporting the Arts on Prescription project, which was set up by community interest group Taking Part Workshops. People suffering from stress, depression and anxiety are invited to take part in free sessions at the Linskill Centre, North Shields, and Wallsend Town Hall.

Taking Part Workshops project manager Victoria Smyth said: "We would like to encourage people who feel like they need help to wind down, to join us in the New Year for some easy-going participatory sessions." A new programme - developed in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society - will also launch this month for people with memory problems and their carers.