A card that gives unpaid family carers discounts in shops, restaurants and local services has been launched in St Albans.

Carers who live, work or care in the St Albans and Hertsmere districts queued up to access savings which went live last week when they signed up for their photo ID card run by Carers in Hertfordshire. 

St Albans Mayor, Coucillor Geoff Harrison, officially opened the launch at Maltings Library.

He said: "The hugely successful Carers’ Passport is one way that services and businesses can reward the valuable work unpaid family carers do day in, day out in the community. This priceless work deserves recognition."

Michele Stokes from Carers in Hertfordshire said: "I know how important it is for carers to be supported so they can continue to care for their loved ones, and there is still sometimes a stigma about asking for help.

"The passport is a fantastic resource. It brings out into the open and also validates the fantastic job that carers do, most of which happens behind closed doors."

To date more than 2,700 passports have been issued with over 1,150 equivalent to over 41 per cent of that number, going to carers not previously accessing support and advice from Carers in Hertfordshire.

The charity currently supports just over 15,000 carers across Hertfordshire, a 23 percent increase in the last 12 months.