CARERS look after relatives or friends who, because of disability, illness or old age, can't manage without help or support - and there are nearly 20,000 living in Warrington.

But there is support out there for those supporting others, and it has been available for four years now at Warrington Carers Centre, based in Garven Place on Sankey Street.

The facility was opened in April 1999, with the aim of providing a focal point for carers, offering information, encouragement and both social and training activities.

Wyn Higham, centre chairman, said: "Out of 20,000 carers living in the town, just under 5,000 do more than 50 hours a week - and remember, this is unpaid care."

The facility, which is manned by both staff and volunteers, offers a range of benefits to carers over the age of 18, from providing information and courses dealing with stress management and confidence building, to running a counselling service.

There is also a focus on identifying some of the many 'hidden carers' out in the community.

Wyn explained: "Some people do not identify themselves as carers.

"For example, if you are looking after someone in your own home you may not always think of yourself as a carer."

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the centre offers a drop-in service, giving carers the chance to share their troubles with each other over a cup of tea, along with a former carers' group for the carers of people who have died or gone into permanent nursing care.

People can also call the centre and outreach worker Wendy Bate is busy visiting individuals and groups in the community.

Wendy, as well as supervising the volunteers, looks after the Carers Emergency Card scheme, which has been running for three years in the town.

She said: "Carers going out worry about the person they care for being left behind if anything happens.

"By carrying one of the cards, which has an ID number on it, if there is an emergency while they are out, they can contact the central control unit at the borough council and they in turn would contact another relative or friend to make sure the person cared for is not left alone.

"The card brings peace of mind to the carer. This service is available 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day. You could even access it on Christmas Day."

The social side of the centre has also developed and now there are regular lunches taking place, which see carers getting together and having a good time.

Wyn added: "Nobody is here to judge others. Sometimes you can be quite angry about something so tiny and you can come here and unload it and nobody says 'you can't feel like that' - there is empathy.

"Nobody expects to be a carer, it's just one of those things that happens. It can be anybody."