A charity is staging a series of events across Keighley and Bradford as part of Carers’ Week, which runs until Sunday.

The Carers’ Resource has launched information displays at all the district’s main hospitals, including Airedale.

The initiative is part of efforts to highlight the contribution made by unpaid carers to the wider community.

And it is urging employers to be more sympathetic to the growing number of carers in their workforce.

The Carers’ Resource says a record one-in-eight people now look after a loved one and it is taking its toll on their own physical health and mental well-being.

It is encouraging carers to ensure their GP is aware of their role and has developed a questionnaire to help them highlight whether they may benefit from a health check.

Anna Jackson, the charity’s head of development, said: “As many as 70 per cent of carers say their health has been adversely affected as a result of the role they play.

“We developed the questionnaire in response to this year’s theme – In Sickness and In Health – as a way of helping them look after themselves better.

“It gives carers a window into their own health needs, enabling them to see for themselves whether they are exercising enough and eating the right diet.

“It also alerts them to the danger signals of drinking too much, sleeping too little or resorting to convenience foods too often.

“It also covers their mental well-being, exploring whether they feel ‘trapped’ in their life with bouts of stress and anxiety, with too little time for themselves and nobody to talk to.”

Some GP surgeries, including Farfield in Keighley, are also backing Carers’ Week.

And a Carers’ Supper Club takes place today at Alfe’s restaurant in Keighley.

For details of activities, visit carers resource.org or phone (01274) 449660.