Carers are twice as likely to get seriously ill

Figures show Blaenau Gwent, Rhondda Cyon Taff and Merthyr Tydfil have the highest proportion of carers reporting ill health.

The report for Carers UK also found that �42m in benefit for carers goes unclaimed in Wales annually.

The organisation released the survey as part of Carers Rights Day.

Neath Port Talbot has the highest percentage of carers in the UK, according to the figures, which are based on the 2001 Census.

Carers in the Valleys are more likely to report ill health, said the report.

There are two people quite often in the household in poor health Roz Williamson

Carer Diane Price, from Tonypandy, has suffered numerous injuries while looking after her husband, including dislocating her shoulder.

Her husband Colin was injured in a horse riding accident 10 years ago and suffered from brain damage. He is a wheelchair user and needs 24 hour care.

Mrs Price feels the stress and emotional strain of looking after her husband has affected her the most.

"It is a strain," she said. "It can be quite a lonely place to be when you're a carer and I find that can be quite depressive too."

Roz Williamson from Carers Wales said Mrs Price's situation is quite common to carers across Wales from all age groups.

She is worried about the effect this has on the carer and on vital resources.

"People are caring for more than 50 hours a week..their own health really does take a major toll," said Ms Williamson.

"So there are two people quite often in the household in poor health. The person who needs looking after but also the person who is doing the looking after and that has a major impact on the health and social services."

RESULTS FROM WALES One third of carers have no savings at all Two fifths of carers struggle to pay essential bills One third of carers have been or are in debt Source: Carers UK

The report argues the high level of ill health suffers by carers can be blamed on the lack of information available to them and the lack of appropriate support- particularly financial.

Sixty percent of carers who provide substantial help worry about their finances affecting their health.

Carers Wales and Carers UK would like carers to be aware of all the different sources of support available to them. They would like support services to act more quickly and to have better financial support available.

There will be various activities and events taking place for Carers Rights Day across the country to encourage carers to take up their rights and entitlements.