Hundreds of brightly coloured helium balloons were released over Southend to mark the revamp of a mental health charity.

The Rethink User Forum has relaunched its service in a bid to increase membership.

Ready, steady, go - deputy mayor Roger Weaver, right, helps with a charity's relaunch Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

The occasion was marked with an event held at Clarence Road Baptist Church attended by the town's deputy mayor and mayoress, Roger and Verina Weaver.

Each helium balloon was marked with the address of the person that launched it and the one that travels the furthest will win a prize.

Rethink, formerly known as the National Schizophrenia Fellowship, provides the Southend Advocacy Service offering support for people with mental health problems.

Published Wednesday, June 25, 2003

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