A UNION leader is calling for more help for unpaid carers, after figures compiled at Durham University reveal there are tens of thousands in the North.

The research commissioned by the GMB union shows that ten per cent of the population of England and Wales look after or help family, friends or others suffering long-term physical or mental illness, disabilities or problems relating to old age.

In the North-East, the two districts of County Durham and Redcar and Cleveland have the highest proportion of unpaid carers.

In County Durham, excluding Darlington, there are 57,000 people acting as unpaid carers, which amounts to 11.6 per cent of the population. In Redcar and Cleveland, 11.6 per cent of the population take on this role, amounting to 16,000 people.

Darlington has 10,000 carers, Middlesbrough has 14,600, Stockton has 19,000, Hartlepool has 10,000, Sunderland has 32,000, Gateshead has 21,000 and Newcastle has 26,000.

The research was compiled from the latest Government census by Nomis, a politically independent statistics group at Durham University.

Paul Kenny, a senior official of the GMB and a member of the general council of the Trades Union Congress, said: "These carers need the support of the rest of us. At work, they need family friendly policies to allow them the time and the flexibility to combine their job with their unpaid carer role.

"Local authorities should stop cutbacks in the home help and meals on wheels services. They should step up help with respite care where the care is intensive. The tax system should also make allowances for this unpaid dedication."