Epsom's Ashley Centre announced their choice for charity of the year as a mental health charity based in the town.

The mental health support charity Love Me Love My Mind are centred in Epsom.

They offer support for those affected by mental health issues and do related outreach work in the Epsom area.

Love Me Love My Mind are currently hosting a Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival in Epsom that's due to run until October 12.

Ashley Centre General Manager David Beddows said that there were a number of deserving charities in the Epsom area, making the decision to support Love Me Love My Mind "extremely hard".

"There are some wonderful charities operating locally and deciding which one to choose was extremely hard.

"We are delighted to be supporting Love Me Love My Mind, a small registered charity based in Epsom which aims to promote better understanding of mental health and to support the wellbeing of everyone in the community," he said.

"The charity is run entirely by volunteers and funded by grants and donations," Mr Beddows pointed out.

Sue Bull, Chair of Love Me Love My Mind, meanwhile revealed the happy response to the charity to the news that they had gained another ardent base of support in the town.

"We are delighted to become The Ashley Centre’s Charity of the Year. The Ashley Centre’s support will greatly help us run our weekly drop-ins and the Epsom Mental Health and Well-Being Festival," she said.

Support worker Caroline Wright, affected by mental health issues herself, highlighted some of the work the charity do in challenging stigma that can surrounding mental health.

"My girls are growing up with the charity. Hopefully like my girls, others can also be educated (if that’s the correct word) by Love Me Love My Mind as society needs understanding people to understand and accept mental health," she said.

Epsom Mental Health and Wellbeing Festival runs October 5-October 12 under the theme 'Joys and Sorrows'.

Over 70 free events will take place with most of the action happening at St Barnabas Church in Epsom.