An award for artistic performances on the subject of mental health is set to be given in memory of a former journalist.

The prize for the most compelling Edinburgh Festival Fringe show tackling the issue will be awarded in memory of Tim Cornwell, the former arts correspondent at The Scotsman, who helped judge the award each year.

Tim, who had lived with bipolar disorder, died suddenly last year of a pulmonary embolism aged 59.

The Cornwell Charitable Trust, which was set up by his family, is to support the Mental Health Foundation Fringe Award for the next three years.

Andrew Eaton-Lewis, arts programme officer at the Mental Health Foundation, told the Edinburgh-based daily: “Tim was a terrific and often underrated writer, on almost any subject you could think of.

“He was also very open about his mental health struggles. He was a valued member of the judging panel for the Mental Health Foundation Fringe Award, a task to which he brought both his personal insights and his many years of experience as an arts journalist.

“We are very grateful to the Cornwell Charitable Trust for offering to support this award.

“It feels like a fitting tribute, celebrating both Tim’s long relationship with the Fringe and his achievements in reducing the stigma around mental health.”