Norah Taylor (r) relies on her daughter, Lauren

Depression and stress are among the psychological effects suffered, while back pain is a common physical complaint for those in a caring role.

Nearly 60% of carers said that they also believed their health problems affected the person they cared for.

The figures have come out as part of Carers Week 2006, which runs from Monday until 18 June.

Norah Taylor, 86, from Torquay, Devon, has had two knee replacement operations and says she finds it difficult to get about and relies on her daughter, Lauren.

She said: "I rely on her to get me out and take me round because I can't walk too far."

Sometimes I do feel like driving off into the sunset somewhere Lauren Taylor

Lauren Taylor, who is 45 and holds a full-time job, says said looking after her mother means she has little time for herself and sometimes finds it difficult to cope.

She said: "It does tend to make me very tired, and it does feel like it does stress me out.

"Sometimes I do feel like getting into the car and driving off into the sunset somewhere."

In the research for the South West, 71% of carers had their own health problems.

It also said 73% of carers suffered from stress or worry, 43% had depression, while backache caused as result of their work affected 34%.

Carers Week manager Paul Matz said: "Carers are often so focused on the person they care for that they neglect concerns for themselves, and as a result, their own health can be significantly affected."

In its National Strategy for Carers, the government admitted that carers' needs were "currently only being met patchily".