Generous cake-lovers raised over £365 when they put their hands in their pockets at a stall on St Albans market earlier this month.

To mark World Mental Health Day, local charity The Counselling Foundation hosted a Great British Bake Off of their own on the market.

Cakes of all shapes and sizes were purchased and shoppers also entered a raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.

Children were invited to decorate cupcakes while adults spoke openly about being or knowing someone affected by mental health.

The money raised will subsidise over 70 counselling sessions for local people on low incomes who need someone to talk to.

Becci Murtagh, head of marketing at The Counselling Foundation said: “It was inspiring to see how many people were happy to discuss their own direct or indirect experience of anxiety, depression and stress, or express an interest in wanting to help others in those situations.

“It’s clear that charitable counselling and counsellor training is really needed across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and we will continue to support our communities with these services.”

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