Stanley is to host a conference aimed at helping Derwentside's unsung heroes - carers.

With at least 9,500 carers in the district carrying out unpaid work to help relatives and friends, the conference is designed to raise awareness of the "hidden carers".

Carers Support Derwentside has been given a £1,000 cheque by Derwentside District Council to help finance the conference that will see Denise Robertson, This Morning's agony aunt, dropping in to give advice.

A spokesperson for local charity Carers Support, which provides paid carers to allow volunteers to take a break, said: "There are about 9,500 carers in Derwentside at least.

"These people often find it difficult to take a break and get isolated from the community.

"Many carers do not think of themselves as carers, but sometimes just as husbands, wives, parents or children.

"Some are not aware that their work saves billions of pounds for health and social services.

"Some of these people are 'hidden' because services are hard to get at if you live in a rural area or if no one else thinks of you as a carer."

The conference, to be held in Stanley Civic Hall on September 26, will have information stalls from local voluntary organisations, as well as benefits, local authority, social and health service advisors.

For more details on the conference or how to join a support group, ring Steve Bamlett at Carers' Support, on (01207) 502688, or call in at the weekly drop-in centre for carers at Stanley Day Centre, off Wear Road, Stanley, on Thursdays between 10am and noon.