local mental health charities are angered that posters advertising a fundraising event this Sunday have been ripped down.

It is thought that those who removed the posters believe the name of the event, the 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party', to be offensive to people with mental health issues.

Jo Williamson, a community mental health nurse, who is involved with SURF — the Service Users' Recovery Forum — said some of those who use the service, had noticed the A4 posters had been removed from various locations in the town.

But she said the idea for the fundraising event was conceived by the service users themselves: 'They wanted to celebrate World Mental?Health Day, and this was their idea.

'I hope those who removed the posters will come to the event and learn more about it.'

The charities involved are SURF, Make A Difference and Rethink.

Linda Simpson-Hall, a service user at SURF , said: 'There was never a connection between ourselves and the Mad Hatter. The idea was simply from Alice in Wonderland because there is so much advertising for it at the moment with the new film out, and shops in Tavistock filled with Alice in Wonderland things.

'If we don't find it offensive why should other people find it offensive on our behalf? They're not speaking for us.

'It was never meant to belittle our condition, we are just trying to get rid of the stigma attached to mental health and we are trying to show we can be an active part in the community.

'It has made us even more determined to have a great day.'

Sandy Edney, founder of Make a Difference, said: 'People seem to have got it into their heads that we are being disrespectful.

'I'm extremely upset that people should do that without talking to us and finding out about it. Ripping down the posters is really upsetting when people have worked so hard — if we don't get as many people coming to the event now, it will be detrimental to the mental health charities that are trying to make money to help the service users.'

The event, taking place in the town hall this Sunday, will be opened by the mayor of Tavistock Cllr David Whitcomb, and will include a tea party, craft, cake and bric-a-brac stalls, face painting and performances from local artists as well as an evening concert from the Tavy Tars among others.

The three charities hope the event will not only raise funds towards their continuation, but also raise awareness of their presence and support services.

MP for West Devon and Torridge Geoffrey Cox, a patron of SURF and trustee to Make a Difference, is in support of the event: 'Mental health problems are something that can arise in anyone, and I hope that this event will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of local services and avenues of support, while raising much needed funds for these charities.'

l The tea party will run from 10am to 6pm, with the concert starting at 8pm. For more information, to make a donation or to have a stall on the day, contact Jo Williamson on 01822 610159.