A DOCUMENT by carers, demanding that their needs are addressed, was launched in Stockton yesterday.

Consulting Carers includes the views of carers' groups in the area on how they would like to be consulted on issues that concern them.

The document was launched at the Carers' Resource Centre, in Bishopton Lane, as part of National Carers' Week.

It is hoped the Government and other agencies will read the document and include carers in policy decisions which affect them.

The resource centre is a one-stop shop open to all carers in the Stockton area.

It provides support and information for carers and also acts as a meeting place for voluntary groups involved with caring.

Centre manager Andy McMann said: "One of the aims of the centre is to enable people to recognise that they are, in fact, carers, as often they carry on providing care without seeking assistance and become ill or isolated themselves as a result.

"Hopefully, by popping into our centre, whether just for a chat over a cup of coffee, or perhaps to join the voluntary groups we run here, they will be able to find out just how much support is available," said Mr McMann.