THEY say laughter is the best medicine.

That certainly seems to be the case for these Hampshire residents after attending a laughter workshop in Winchester.

The event was held at Kirtling House, a residential facility for people with mental health needs.

It was part of a national awareness week organised by the mental health charity Together.

During Wellbeing Week the wide range of ways in which people can take simple steps to improve how they feel, including laughing, were promoted.

Leela Bunce, a trained laughter yoga facilitator who helped run the event, said: “I visited a laughter workshop back in 2004 after a period of stress and depression and found it so helpful that I trained to give the workshops myself so I could help others.

“At laughter workshops we use the body, breath, voice and play to stimulate laughter, rather than jokes and humour, so people taking part don’t have to be feeling happy at the start of a session, or even have a sense of humour.”