CARERS in the South West could be losing an average of £11,000 every year due to the pressures of looking after a sick relative or partner.

CARERS in the South West could be losing an average of £11,000 every year due to the pressures of looking after a sick relative or partner.

There are more than 20,000 people in North Somerset and Sedgemoor who spend time looking after loved ones, but this has been shown to affect their earning potential.

A study carried out by Carers UK revealed that tending to family members can mean people may have to give up their job, reduce their hours or take more junior positions at work to cope with the two responsibilities.

The research also revealed that one out of three carers is in debt and one in 10 cannot afford their rent or mortgage.

Segdemoor has 7,719 carers but in North Somerset there are a staggering 13, 791, the third highest amount in the South West.