Councillors in Wem will use monies raised by former mayor, Councillor Connie Granger, as part of an attempt to secure a grant for mental health services.

Cllr Granger served as mayor from May 2018 until May this year, and raised more than £1,000 as part of her charity fundraising across her civic year.

At Thursday’s full town council meeting, members voted to use the money as a way of match-funding for a grant application to run mental health first aid sessions in the town and establish a regular drop-in session.

Cllr Granger said: “It has to be specified for the town, and not disappear elsewhere.”

The town clerk, Penny O’Hagan, told members she is looking at the potential option of Wem Town Hall or Wem Youth Club with the latter to be included in the grant application to match fund the charity money.

She added: “Shropshire Mind are keen to come into the town and do work with them. They are happy to do 16 plus as part of drop-in sessions.”

All councillors agreed it was a good idea for the town.

Cllr Granger added: “If you are depressed or have huge problems, you can’t just get on a train to travel because that’s part of their anxiety, so we want something here and the clerk and I will get together to try our best.”

Cllr Edward Towers added: “It needs grown up facilities as well but was assured that it has coffee/tea making capacity.”

The grant application will be made to Meres and Mosses Housing Community Development Fund and it was recommending, prior to the meeting, that councillors approved the motion to used the money, which they did unanimously.