Realising a Real Living Wage for everyone is possible but not without its challenges, says a Hexham campaign group.

Hexham Real Living Wage Group has organised a public meeting on October 14 from 11am-12pm at The Torch Centre, Hexham.

A number of speakers will be at the meeting, including Tyne & Wear Citizens, who have successfully lobbied for major Newcastle and Sunderland employers to be accredited Living Wage employers.

Northern Region TUC, who are calling for a £15 per hour minimum wage for care workers, and improved conditions of employment, will also be speaking.

Hexham Real Living Wage Group was established to lobby for Hexham to become a Real Living Wage Town.

The group campaigns to raise awareness of the problem of low pay and the need for a real living wage.

They have lobbied major employers in the area and identified where there are concentrations of low pay.

Hexham Town Council, Tynedale Hospice, and Hexham Community Centre have all joined the existing roster of accredited Living Wage employers in Hexham.

Following a petition, the group also persuaded Northumberland County Council to pay its social care providers a greater rate, providing they gave care workers a Real Living Wage minimum.

The Real Living Wage rates, applicable to all workers over 18, are worked out by the Resolution Foundation, contingent on the cost of vital living essentials, as informed by focus groups.

Pat Devlin, Hexham Real Living Wage Group's coordinator, said: "We need to spread the word, about the difference between the Living Wage and The Real Living wage and what we as a town and region can do to achieve the Real Living Wage as a minimum for all. "But we are also very concerned about the impact of changes to Universal Credit on the low paid.”