THOUSANDS of the borough's unsung heroes will be celebrated next week but the majority will not even realise they are being honoured.

National Carers Week starts on Sunday and will be marked locally with a series of events to recognise carers and the work they do looking after people who could not otherwise manage daily life because of illness, disability or frailty.

Along with the estimated 1,000 carers in the borough known to the local authority and organisations, there are thought to be 18,000 more who selflessly give up their time to care for others.

Vivien Goodwin, development officer for Bury Carers Centre, said it is estimated that one in eight people in the borough is a carer, looking after someone for a few hours a week, or providing round-the-clock care.

She said: "The carers we know of are only a very small percentage of the total number. National Carers Week is for them to know that there are services available which could help them."

To promote the week and the essential and often unnoticed work carers undertake, Bury Carers Partnership, Bury Crossroads, Manchester Jewish Federation and Time for You organised a competition. All, from the very young to the elderly, were invited to tell their story of how they first realised that they had become more than a mother, father, daughter, partner, relative or friend.

On Monday, at Bury's Met Studio, a top prize of £100, followed by £50 and £25, will be awarded by social services to those with moving yet inspiring stories to tell. All young carers who enter will receive a prize.

Sally Lindsay, who plays Shelley Unwin, in Coronation Street, is lending her support to the week. She cared for her grandmother, who died of Alzheimer's in 1992.

She said: "I know the difficulties and strain that carers face. As this is a subject that is so close to my heart, I felt passionately that I wanted to become involved.

"As their dedication and commitment often goes unnoticed, carers' week is when we pay tribute to each of the UK's seven million carers."

Information for carers will be available next week at a series of planned events. They include:

Sunday: carers information stand in Tesco, Prestwich.

Tuesday: open day for workers and voluntary organisations at Bury Carers Centre, 146 Hornby Street.

Wednesday: Bury Carers Centre open day for carers to find out more about the work of the centre, at 146 Hornby Street, and the services available to them.

Thursday: Carers information stand in Bury Town Centre; carers information stand in Tesco, Prestwich.

Sunday, June 15: Carers information day at Tesco, Prestwich.