A CHARITY that estimates it helps save taxpayers £100m a year is having to lay off two key workers after its funding was cut.

Durham Dales Primary Care Trust has voted not to give £30,000 to the Durham Dales Action for Carers (DDAC) group in the coming year.

The loss of this money means the carers' charity, which is based in Barnard Castle, will not be able employ its two part-time health link workers.

DDAC was one of six projects that had its financial support cut this year by the trust.

The trust said the money it granted was only available for a limited time and that it will continue to give £169,000 to ten other initiatives.

The trust will continue to support DDAC by providing its premises for a peppercorn rent.

DDAC chairman Terry Willits said that the two health link workers provided a vital service in the dales.

The workers are linked to GP practices and provide monthly outreach sessions for carers.

Mr Willits said: "I am extremely disappointed for all our carers and the people who they serve and for our two health link workers.

"Carers in this region save the health service in excess of £100m every year."

He said the country's three other primary care trusts were giving a total of £181,000 to groups in their area that support carers.

The trust said difficult decisions had to be made when deciding which projects it should help.

Dr David Landes, the trust's director of public health, said: "The process of mainstreaming has not been easy because of the pressure on limited uncommitted NHS resources.

"This has meant that priorities and careful decisions have been made to maximise health improving activities."