More help for people who look after seriously ill relatives and friends is being demanded by an MP.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper has put down an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for more recognition and support for carers.

Mr Lepper is a supporter of the Alzheimer's Society and a trustee of Ardis, a Brighton-based group which provides support for people with dementia.

He said: "I think we often underestimate the extent to which our society depends upon carers.

"They are often isolated and unsupported and have given up their own career or social life to look after ill, infirm or elderly relatives or friends."

Mr Lepper has welcomed Carers Online, a new web site for carers providing advice and information, to be launched on May 20.

The web site address is: www.carersonline.org.uk