CARERS throughout Bury found themselves being put first last week.

Carers met with council officers, councillors, the local health authority and members from other agencies, to discuss how to maintain and improve services designed to help those who look after others.

The annual carers consultation, held at the Radcliffe Civic Suite, was designed for "unpaid" carers to support their "caring role" in the coming year.

Mrs Gwen Lucas, the borough's carers service manager, said: "Two ideas which came through the event were to offer breaks for both the carer and constructive break or alternative care for the person who is being cared for, as well as trying to encourage those who are carers to come forward."

She added: "Many carers do not realise that they are carers. For example, wives caring for their husbands, or other family members or mums caring for their child who is disabled. Often these people do not realise they are carers and it can be difficult to encourage them to come forward and receive the support they are entitled to."

For details call0161 253 6073.