NEW research has shown that people in Redcar and Cleveland who care for the sick, disabled or frail are saving the local economy more than £100m a year.

A report published by Carers UK shows that carers' support across the country is worth £57.4bn. In Redcar and Cleveland the figure stands at £114.4m.

Sue Reeves, of Redcar and Cleveland Carers Development Service, said: "The new report demonstrates how much the local economy relies on unpaid care. Without carers, our NHS and social carer systems would collapse."

Now statutory and voluntary organisations are organising a variety of activities for Carers' Week in an attempt to break down the social exclusion felt by many carers.

Events taking place during next week include a display in Redcar Library; a carers' information day at the Grenfell Club in Redcar, on Wednesday; an activity day at Redcar's Adult Education Centre on Friday; and a special day for young carers at Coatham Memorial Hall on Saturday, June 15.

The plans for the week have won the support of local MPs Vera Baird, for Redcar, and Ashok Kumar, for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland.

Mrs Baird recalled how she went to a Carers' Week meeting in the week she was elected.

She said: "This group of people are the backbone of home care in our country. Many were hidden for years, unaware that others in the same position were as lonely and unsupported as they were.

"Now the carers' movement has brought new life. They have rights, but realising them is just beginning.

"I will be supporting campaigns for more resources and better fulfilment of their needs."

Dr Kumar said: "Caring for someone else demands attention, compassion and determination - attention to their needs, compassion for their circumstances and the determination to overcome the problems that confront them.

"I have the utmost respect for all carers, but especially those who are very young and find themselves in situations many adults would find difficult to bear."