MONEY has been donated by family, friends and colleagues in memory of a former social worker, which will help secure the future of a service for people with mental health problems.

Martin Long of Gigbridge Lane, Pershore who died on Friday, July 29 was a social worker for more than 30 years.

He retired as leader of Worcester City mental health team six years ago but still devoted his energy to helping people who were mentally ill.

Mr Long became the chairman of Worcester City Mind a position he held up to his death at the age of 70.

The social worker received his mental health training when he was a Cistercian monk in Ireland but left the monastery at the age of 24 and came to Worcestershire where he married in 1964.

Mourners raised £725 in his name after his widow, Judy asked for all contributions to be donated to the Mind charity at a celebration of his life following a private funeral.

Mind provide an open access day service at St Swithun's Institute, The Trinity, Worcester.