Wildlife expert and TV presenter Chris Packham came to town to help shine the spotlight on mental health.

The Sunflower Project, formerly known as Mind Fest, took place in Bridport at the weekend, when more than 400 people attended Packham's sell-out talk, ‘Pictures from the Edge of the World,’ at the Electric Palace.

It was followed by a Q&A session, during which Packham's 'energy and openness about his own struggles with mental health was very moving', organisers said.

The festival supports mental wellbeing and raises money for people suffering from a mental health crisis.

Bridport turned yellow during the festival in honour of national Mental Health Day on October 10. Students at the Sir John Colfox Academy, Bridport, made large sunflowers which were mounted on bamboo cane stalks and displayed at Bucky Doo Square and outside the Chapel in the Garden.

Attached to the sunflowers were labels with what makes people sad on one side and what makes them happy on the other.

All residents were invited to make their own 2D or 3D sunflowers to hang out of their windows or doors to help brighten up the streets over the weekend.

Springwatch and Autumnwatch presenter Packham, who has candidly spoken about having Asperger's in a BBC documentary, took part in a talk, slideshow and Q&A before meeting with teenagers who form part of the Bridport ASD and Social Anxiety Group.

The group meets every Monday between 6.30-8pm at Bridport Children's Centre to support each other with ideas and contributions. Parents and carers of any young people affected by these conditions also meet at the same time in the lounge area for support and input. The group is entirely voluntary.

The Sunflower Project is a 100 per cent volunteer community association and is looking for others to get involved. No special skills are required.

For more information and to take part in future events, join a community gathering on Monday, October 21.

If you are unable to come to the meeting but want to be involved, email Max at info@bridportmindfest.org