There are estimated to be 115,000 young carers in Scotland

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers said more is now known about the number of children who care at home.

But the trust's Louise MacDonald, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Sunday Live show, said there was still a lack of awareness among officials.

Ministers say they are doing their best and have increased funding help from �5m to �21m in four years.

One young carer is 14-year-old Alan from West Lothian.

He told the Sunday Live programme, which was broadcast at 0900 BST on Sunday, about how he helps his problem brother Scott.

The boys' mother works part-time so when she is not at home, Alan is in charge.

He said: "My brother is asthmatic, epileptic and sufferers from ADHD.

"That means he is hyperactive, he cannot concentrate a great deal and you have to watch him all the time.

"He goes to the cooker when it is on, I tell him not to do it, but he still does it."

It's quite easy, when I was wee I didn't know what to do, but I know what to do now Brenda McLaughlin, 15

The children's father walked out on the family when Scott was just four-months-old.

"It's hard for my mother to bring up two children on her own," said Alan.

Ms MacDonald said the research done on the numbers of young people taking on caring roles was revealing.

"I don't think we ever realised before that so many young people were actually caught to this extent in this caring role.

"So, I think that lots more could be done by local authorities, I think the Scottish Executive could give a much clearer lead to local authorities as to how young carers could be supported.

'Nothing stops us'

"But I really do believe that there is a lack of awareness on their part about the numbers involved," said Ms MacDonald.

Former Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has also called on the government to give more support to young carers.

Mr Swinney, who stood down as SNP leader in September, will lead a members debate at the Scottish Parliament next week on the issue of young carers.

John Swinney is a former leader of the SNP

The North Tayside MSP said: "The government, to be fair, has given an increased amount of support to carers' projects over the past few years.

"I think we've got to live in the real world and recognise that this support is not nearly touching all of the services that are required to be put in place.

He said the executive had a responsibility to make sure there were "respite places for young people, support in place for assisting educational development and more support in the home".

Brenda McLaughlin is 15 and looks after her blind grandparents, Nan and Gerry.

She has lived with them since she was an infant.

Nan said: "We can't see, it's even difficult to walk across the floor in a room.

"But with Brenda, nothing stops us - we go on holiday, we do everything you can think of.

The trust believes young carers are not getting the support they need

"She reads the labels at the shops and she's very good at spotting a bargain."

Although Brenda's grandparents make sure she goes to school and plays with her friends, life is full of responsibility.

Brenda for example has to dish out the daily medication, including blood pressure and diabetes tablets, to her grandmother.

The teenager said: "I do the dishes, I cook the tea, I do the shopping and I wash out my budgie's cage.

"It's quite easy, when I was wee I didn't know what to do, but I know what to do now."

Pick up signs

Her grandfather Gerry said he believes life would be very different for Brenda if there was more help for him and his wife in their home.

The Scottish Executive said it was committed to helping young carers look after themselves, as well as the people they care for.

They have set up the Carers Strategy which is designed to create a more coherent joined up approach to deal with problems.

But they have acknowledged that more could be done to co-ordinate services on offer.

An executive spokeswoman added: "We are working closely with national carers' organisations to improve the available support for all carers, including young carers, and we are investing record amounts to achieve this.

"We plan to work with key stakeholders to improve the support for young carers and we will look at how best this can be done. Later this year we will issue revised guidance on the planning and delivery of services for children and young people in need."