A STOURPORT support group is celebrating its first anniversary by holding a birthday party and a fundraising walk.

Friends in Stourport, which meet at Areley Kings Village Hall, is a free friendship group for over-18s, which provides support for sufferers of depression and anxiety.

Group founder Sarah Neal, who battled with depression herself for 15 years, wanted to help others who were going through what she had experienced.

After moving to Areley Kings from Sussex two years ago, Miss Neal could not find a group in the area to help with, so decided to launch her own, holding the first meeting on August 1, 2013.

To mark its first year, group members held a birthday party at the village hall featuring party games.

The group is also holding a fundraising walk on Sunday around the Wyre Forest in order to keep operating.

Entry to the event is £2 for adults and £1 for children, meeting at 10am at the visitor centre.

With the group now going into its second year, Miss Neal is encouraging people who suffer from depression to attend the group and start friendships with the other members.

“There are a lot of people who suffer from depression and need support,” she said.

“The group is still going strong and is here for people who need it.”

The next Friends of Stourport meeting is on Tuesday, August 26 between 7pm and 9pm, meeting on the first and third Tuesday each month after that.

For more information about the group email friendsinstourport@gmail.com