MEN and women who look after relatives or friends and rarely get any time to themselves, are to have a week dedicated to them in Teesdale.

An event has been arranged for them on each of five days starting on Monday, by staff of the Carers' Centre, in Victoria Road, Barnard Castle.

On the first day, they will be taken on a guided walk around Low Barns nature reserve at Witton-le-Wear.

On Tuesday, the carers will be given information on the parent partnership service, which helps families with special needs children.

On Wednesday, there will be an open day with a strawberries and cream tea. On Thursday, there will be a session about epilepsy help, and on Friday, there will be a charity race night.

Pamela Hope, a carer support worker at the Carers' Centre, said: "During this special week, we will do all we can to give the carers in the dale some extra help and a little bit of fun."

Any carer wishing to take part is asked to call at the centre or ring (01833) 630202.