YOUNG carer Porchea wants her mum to know that she'd "never change her".

The 10-year-old Lainesmead Primary School pupil, who helps look after her mum and brother, said: "I love her."

She was one of hundreds of young carers put in the spotlight, as 24 schools across Swindon celebrated Young Carer Awareness Day.

Ann Giles of Swindon Carers Centre said: "It's a huge thing for Swindon. It's never happened before."

The charity supports more than 900 young carers in the town - with some as young as five-years-old. However, they suspect that there may be many more.

Lainesmead Primary School, Walcot, was one of the schools taking part in the day.

A dozen young carers spent a sunny lunchtime writing poems about what caring meant to them.

Carer Lily, 7, wrote: "Happy families are the best. When you have a family you feel warm and happy."

Tina Desciscio, the school's young carers lead, said: "For some of them home life can be quite difficult. They might have trouble doing their homework. They might not have slept very well."

Headteacher Eirian Painter said of the school's young carers: "They do such an important job for their families. It's about the support we can give back to them."

For more about support for young carers, visit: www.swindoncarers.org.uk