FIGURES have been published showing the number of young carers in Cumbria.

Cumbria County Council revealed the number of young carers in the county for the last six years.

Young carers are aged 5-18 who care for someone at home who is ill, disabled or frail including mental illness and alcohol or drug abuse.

In 2013/2014 there were 880 young carers in Cumbria, in 2014/15 there were 1,100, in 2015/16 there were 1,089, in 2016/17 there were 1,078, in 2017/18 there were 1,075, and in 2018/19 there were 901.

For each of the six years the council spent £217,000 on support for young carers.

This represents an average of around £200 pro rata spent on each young carer.

Support services include respite breaks, after school clubs, one-to-one support and group activities.

Support groups are based in Furness, South Lakeland, Eden, Carlisle, and West Cumbria.

Visit www.carerssupportcumbria.co.uk for more information.