They haven't identified themselves to us, social services or the education sector, so by the time we find out about them they are at crisis point

Joyce Colley, centre manager

The �100,000 scheme is currently helping 52 children between the ages of six and 14 who look after sick or mentally ill parents, grandparents or brothers or sisters.

But the centre believes this number is just the "tip of the iceberg".

Joyce Colley, who runs the service, said: "We have young people undertaking care of others for a long period who have no support at all.

"They haven't identified themselves to us, social services or the education sector, so by the time we find out about them they are at crisis point."

The youngsters who are being helped are able to pop into the centre after school, get something to eat, have a chance to do homework and receive one-to-one advice.

'Forgotten army'

George Irving, director of social services, said the problems surrounding children carers have only recently come to light.

Councillor David Gallagher: "Silent army"

He added: "We had already produced a strategy for adult carers, but when that work started we found a number of young carers, the age of some surprised us."

The chairman of the local social inclusion partnership which is funding the project, Councillor David Gallagher, says he hopes similar schemes will be adopted throughout Scotland.

He said that children who looked after others were a "forgotten and silent army" whom the community should reach out to and help.

Mr Gallagher believes it was up to the wider community to make sure such youngsters did not lose their childhood because they were busy helping others.

Those being helped by the project include nine-year-old Terry, who cares for his mentally ill mother and six-year-old brother.

He has to wash and dress his younger sibling and ensure that he gets to school, while also making sure that his mother is safe.