A training session held last week helped to highlight the importance of dementia awareness, organisers have said.

The dementia awareness session was organised by Buckhurst Hill Parish Council and Waitrose Supermarkets, which hosted the event in its Queen’s Road store last Thursday (May 14) ahead of Dementia awareness week.

The session was led by the Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness among local traders of the condition and how it affects people.

Council chairman Aniket Patel said: “The session was very informative and did much to help raise awareness of dementia locally.

“The session was held as part of Waitrose' Give and Gain day and I would like to thank them for their hospitality and helping us highlight what is such an important issue.”

At the council’s annual meeting on the same day, money raised at the 2014 Queen’s Road Christmas fair was donated to the Alzheimer’s Society, with £1,001 presented to fundraiser Megan Bailey.

The council also donated funds to Support4Sight, which provides community support services to vulnerable residents with sight loss.