THE MYSTERY author of an anonymous poem that went viral online has been identified as a Leominster artist.

Written about her own struggles with anxiety and the importance of allowing ourselves permission to take a break, Laura Ding-Edwards' poem was picked up, unbeknownst to her, by social media, racking up over 1 million views and 50,000 shares as far away as Norway, Australia and New Zealand.

"The poem was just something that came to me while driving," she said.

"Poetry isn’t my forte at all and I’m overwhelmed and touched that so many people have found comfort from it.

"I just wrote it really to show that it was ok to feel like that and that you’re not alone."

Watercolour artist Ms Ding-Edwards said that although she has suffered from anxiety for most of her life, her mental health took a turn for the worse in 2006, leaving her barely able to leave her house.

"That was when I finally decided to try medication and had some counselling," she said.

"Since then I have had setbacks and I've had to leave jobs due to my mental health, the saddest being my lovely job as a youth worker at Close House.

"But I've found ways of managing it, especially in the last few years, where I've had the space to focus on my health without the pressure of a full time job where I feel like I am letting people down if I have time off sick.

"The most important therapy tools I have found for me are mindful meditation, my horses and getting stuck into something creative.

"There is also a lot to be said for having an amazing, non-judgemental support network, which I am really lucky to have."

She has now been running her own business, Rainbird Roots, for two years, with her main work being pet portraits.

"I also work mornings at Erin Cullimore's showjumping yard where I keep my own horses, as they have a real impact on my well-being" she added.

"I especially enjoy painting horses, as this combines my two greatest loves."

The artist is now selling prints of her hand-painted poem, with £1 from every sale going to mental health charity MIND, which provides advice and support to people experiencing mental health problems and campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

The print is available to purchase on https://www.rainbirdroots.com