M&S Taunton is launching a week-long fundraiser for YoungMinds, a mental health charity for young people.

It includes a 688-mile bike challenge and forms part of a wider initiative across over 360 M&S stores, aiming to raise £5million in three years since October 2023.

YoungMinds aims to provide support to seven million youngsters and adults through accessible online resources and a helpline.

Lisa George, clothing and home team manager, said: "At M&S Taunton we're proud to be supporting M&S on its fun-raising mission to provide mental health support to young people across the country.

"We’d love for customers to come along and support the team as we complete our activity."

A contribution of 5p from the sale of every loaf from the store's Farmhouse bread range will be donated to YoungMinds.

The store has already contributed £700,000 from customer and colleague donations.

Laura Bunt, chief executive of YoungMinds, added: "Together with M&S, we want to show young people that together we can turn things around.

"The incredible fundraising efforts by M&S will help us reach and support more young people and the adults in their lives."

Their research suggests 65 per cent of young people struggling with their mental health are afraid to seek help.