TWO friends are planning a local makers market to raise money for two rural mental health charities.

Lizzie Ross, who runs Stony Pasture which makes knitwear and runs alpaca experiences for children, has joined forces with her friend Becca Melville, of The Bird Watcher's Daughter, who makes wildlife cards and prints, to organise the event.

The market, which will take place at Hexham Auction Mart next weekend, will bring together over 35 local crafters who are sole traders or micro-businesses and make their own goods.

There will be a variety of goods on offer, including silver jewellery, leather goods, soaps, and confectionary.

Each trader will be donating a prize which will be raffled to raise money for The Farming Community Network and Blackdog Outdoors.

Lizzie and Becca, as well as many of the traders, have farming backgrounds.

Lizzie said: "Becca and I have both had personal experiences with mental health within our families.

"The message about mental health illnesses being taking as seriously as any other illnesses is filtering its way out there, but perhaps in the rural and farming communities, it just needs a little bit more of a push."

The market will take place between 10am-4.30pm on Saturday, November 6.