YOUNGSTERS have boosted their caring skills after being given vital first-aid training, courtesy of St John Ambulance.

Bury Young Carers, the children's division of charity Carers Partnership, benefited from the stint which was carried out at the St John Ambulance divisional headquarters and training centre in Sion Street, Radcliffe.

Young carers are those under the age of 18 who provide care to a family member who has an illness or disability, mental ill health or problematic use of drugs or alcohol.

The training equipped the children with the knowledge of what to do in an emergency should anyone in their care be taken ill, have a fall or an epileptic fit, cut themselves or suffer a heart attack.

During their day's training, youngsters undertook two modules of the St John Ambulance first-aid for schools programme, where they learned everything from vital resuscitation techniques, the recovery position and unconsciousness and what to do in the event of choking, through to the management of heart attacks, angina, shock, fainting, bleeding, burns and other injuries or conditions.

Julia Witter, schools liaison officer with St John Ambulance Greater Manchester, said: "The importance of first-aid training for these young carers cannot be over emphasised. The number of lifesaving incidents that have resulted from St John Ambulance training reinforces this."

Margaret Brewster, manager of the Bury Young Carers, said: "Apart from the obvious benefits of equipping young people with lifesaving skills, it will give them confidence in knowing that they will know what to do in an emergency should anything happen to a parent or another family member in their care."

The Bury Young Carers service has been developed to meet the specific needs of young carers and their families.

Anyone who requires information about Bury Young Carers should telephone the group on 0161 253 6902.