HEALTH service staff will start wearing a "rainbow badge" to show support for LGBT patients.

Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust (GMMH) announced on Friday that staff would be taking part in the scheme, which helps lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.

A spokesman for the trust said: "Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust has signed up to the NHS Rainbow initiative and we are supporting staff to wear the NHS rainbow badges.

"The initiative is a simple way to signal to our LGBT service users that they can be comfortable in discussing LGBT issues and be signposted, where needed, to the appropriate support.

"We are delighted to be part of this fantastic intiative as GMMH is an open, non-judgemental and inclusive place for people that identify as LGBT+."

The initiative was launched in February at Evelina London Children's Hospital with the aim of making a positive difference by promoting a message of inclusion.

It has already been taken up by trusts across the country but this will be the first time GMMH staff are involved.