PETER Pike MP is backing East Lancashire carers. He has announced his support for Carers' Week, running from Monday, June 9 to Sunday, June 15.

This year the theme for Carers Week will be Opportunities for Carers.

The Burnley Labour backbencher will be supporting Carers' Week both at the House of Commons and in Burnley and has called for carers to be given better support at the workplace.

He said the 10,560 carers in Burnley deserve better support.

Mr Pike said:"I will be supporting the campaign for better support for carers to assist them both in the workplace and at home.

"Without carers looking after their loved ones, there would be massive extra demands on the NHS and social services.

"More than half of all carers continue to work and contribute to the local economy, often juggling their different roles with considerable difficulty.

"The main problem for many carers is the lack of flexibility in the workplace.

"Carers need more flexible arrangements than are currently on offer in many cases."