STARTUP care firm Select Home Help hopes a novel way it tried to brighten up gloomy January can carry on all year.

Joint owner Charlotte Latham launched a campaign called#31DaysofKindness, which aimed to give people reasons to be happy in what can be a difficult month following the highs of Christmas and New Year.

This included buying coffee for strangers, leaving books in launderettes and putting positive messages on notes she placed in venues around Penrith, where the business is based.

It culminated in organising a musical performance by Helen Bainbridge and son Richard Bybers at Eden Mencap.

Miss Latham said: "The idea behind these acts of kindness is just to make people smile and improve their day even if it is just a little.”

She has now launched #CheerfulMondays to start the week with kind acts.

"Showing kindness to others can not only improve your own mood and strengthen relationships you already have but you are also engaging in your community in a positive way and thus making the world that little bit more wonderful," she said.

Miss Latham, 27, lives in Penrith and runs the firm with her mother Diane, who lives in Hexham. Select Home Help provides support to people who need help to live independently.