DUDLEY’S mental health chiefs have announced the winners of an annual art competition for people with experiences of mental health issues.

This year’s winners of the Dawn Jones Art Prize 2016, organised by Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, were decided following a difficult decision by the panel of judges.

Judges selected Anne Babbs and Susanna Frances as the victors, and the pair were presented with trophies at a prize giving event at Zion Christian Centre in Halesowen.

A group of runners-up were also presented with certificates and medals, following an exhibition at Cosy Café in Dudley throughout September.

Now in its third year of being hosted by the trust, the competition was set up by Maureen Jones ten years ago in memory of her daughter Dawn who tragically committed suicide in 2005 at the age of 25, following a long battle with depression.

The trust invited people from across both boroughs with experience of mental health issues to create artwork for the competition.

Gill Cooper, non-executive director at the trust, and co-host of the prize-giving ceremony alongside Maureen, said: “I’m really glad we continue to support this art prize. It’s rewarding to see how the competition inspires people with experience of mental health to get involved in art, which can often be very therapeutic.

“The standard of art that was sent into the competition was exceptional and the entire judging panel had a hard time deciding on winners.”

As reward for being the victors of the competition, the two winners will have their work exhibited in sites across the trust for a year.