A SUPPORT group has been set up to help the estimated 300 unpaid young carers in the Darlington area.

Darlington Crossroads, Caring for Carers, is running the youth service from its offices in the town's Lingfield Point complex.

The charity specialises in providing respite care for the growing number of carers in Darlington, using trained staff to offer support for a few hours each week to full-time carers.

It is part of the National Association of Crossroads, and is one of more than 200 schemes across the country working to make life easier for unpaid carers.

Darlington Crossroads, which employs 25 staff, has recently moved from its office in Union Street to refurbished premises in Lingfield House.

The new office has disabled access and more office space and facilities.

It will also be home to Time Out - the charity's support group for young children.

Time Out will aim to give youngsters aged eight to 18 a break from looking after a sick parent or other members of their family.

Liz Chard, scheme manager, said: "There are estimated to be up to 300 young carers in Darlington.

"Many youngsters are left to look after their siblings if a parent is ill, and this can leave them feeling isolated.

"This scheme gives them a chance to meet other people of the same age, who are in a similar situation to themselves.

"This gives the young carer a break without worrying about the person they look after."

Ms Chard said: "We outgrew the previous offices in Union Street, as our services have developed, so a move was essential for us to continue offering a high-quality service to carers in Darlington.

"Moving to Lingfield Point has provided us with a much more appropriate head office.

"We are now working in a modern office environment, there is excellent disabled access and good parking facilities."

Darlington Crossroads is linked to the National Association of Crossroads, which has 207 affiliated schemes.

More than 3.7m care hours are provided each year by more than 4000 trained care workers nationwide