CARERS have been given an insight into how to get the right balance in their lives.

Health and social care professionals in Darlington staged a conference designed to help carers cope with their lives while looking after loved ones.

Called Work, Rest and Play, the conference was organised by Darlington Association on Disability's Carers Support Service, Darlington Primary Care Trust, the borough council's social services team and the Alzheimer's Society.

Guest speakers offered the carers advice before delegates attended a number of workshops based on the three themes.

Social Services carers development officer Lisa Holdsworth told the conference that three in five people would be carers some time during their lives and looking after a member of the family while in employment could be very stressful.

Darlington Association on Disability deputy manager Jacki Hiles said: "There are things, big and small, we can all do to make life easier for carers.

"There is a growing awareness about the lives of carers, who save the Government a huge amount of money. But with trends towards community care, an ageing population and the need to maintain income this is an issue which is really building."