Pendle MP Gordon Prentice is calling for the country’s six million carers to receive more recognition for their work. Figures revealed by Carers UK at the start of Carers Week this year show that most of them find the strain of caring can lead to extreme levels of stress and depression .

Speaking from Westminster the MP said: "Carers save the country an estimated £87 billion a year. In Pendle there are thousands of people who give their time to look after family members. Yet the Carers Week survey showed that the vast majority of carers feel their role is overlooked or ignored by professionals, friends and even family members. Over half of them say it has affected their health and left them worse off financially.

"Carers should know that there are services and support available to them, so that they don’t have to struggle on on their own.

"The Government has done much to help carers who have to or choose to work and I am supporting the Equalities Bill, which offers equal treatment for them. And I welcome the money which has been allocated to Primary Care Trusts nationally for Carers Breaks, which will bring over £750,000 into East Lancashire over the next two years.

"But once again I am calling for the extension of Carers Allowance to low-income working carers earning more than the current threshold of £95 a week. Carers should not be forced into financial hardship by their caring role."