CHILDREN are being encouraged to dress up as colourful rainforest animals at an Oxfordshire mental health charity's annual festival.

The Elder Stubbs Festival will be held at the Elder Stubbs Allotments in Cowley on Saturday, August 18 to raise awareness of mental health. Money raised by the event will go towards helping Restore promote mental wellbeing.

Restore is led by its members –people recovering from mental ill health in six recovery groups across Oxfordshire. They have chosen a theme this year of the rainforest and global sustainability.

The charity wants to raise £25,600, which will be used to pay for an extra mental health recovery worker who will work across Oxford.

Stallholders from a variety of causes and musical performers will come to the allotments.

The charity is seeking financial sponsorship and is offering other advertising opportunities.

To help, get in touch with its head of external relations, Tom Hayes. Email him at tom.hayes@restore.org.uk

For more information about Restore, which helped 1,259 people last year, visit its website at www.restore.org.uk