FORMER Scotland rugby player Scott Hastings and his wife Jenny and 201have been named ambassadors of a leading mental health charity.

Support in Mind Scotland has marks World Mental Health Day today by announcing Hastings, who won 65 caps for Scotland, also represented the British & Irish Lions and who is a passionate supporter of the national charity along with his wife Jenny, as ambassadors with 2016 Miss Scotland finalist Nicole Ross mental health campaigner Dane Thomson.

To highlight awareness, challenge stigma and promote the work of Support in Mind Scotland, Jenny and Nicole have both recently shared their personal experiences of coping with bouts of mental ill health.

Scott Hastings said: “We are delighted to become Ambassadors to the charity Support in Mind Scotland.

“We hope that we can continue to raise the profile of mental health; to challenge the stigma around this condition and to provide valuable support to those that suffer from mental health problems or mental illness and the serious impact that it has on their life and on the lives of others, including family members, friends and supporters.”

Frances Simpson, CEO of Support in Mind Scotland, said: “Our organisation is privileged to recruit our first four ambassadors who are willing to give not just time but also so much of themselves to raise awareness and to work with us to improve people's lives.

“Each person brings a very personal perspective to this role, but what they have in common is enormous passion for supporting people who experience mental ill-health and their families.

“We look forward to involving Scott, Jenny, Nicole and Dane in our work, knowing that they will be warmly welcomed by our members, our service users and our staff."