A CARER met ministers at the House of Commons to tell them about the work she does.

Naima Choudhury, from Walthamstow, took her cause to the corridors of power when she met with MPs and Ministers at a parliamentary reception to mark this year's Carers Week in June.

Ms Choudhury has cared for her father, who had a stroke, since she was seven and now cares for her mother, who has a variety of health problems.

The parliamentary reception gave her the chance to discuss the issues that affect her life with a group of 40 MPs, including Jonathan Shaw, Minister for Disabled People at the Department of Work and Pensions.

Ms Choudhury said: "Like many carers, I find that my role is often overlooked or ignored - it really does feel as if we are a 'secret service'.

"Meeting the MPs, I was able to tell the people in power what life is really like for those of us who are caring for someone we love.

"I think it's really important that politicians are made aware of the difficulties and challenges that carers often face, and what they can do to make our lives less of a struggle."

Carers Week manager, Paul Matz, says: "The Carers Week Parliamentary Reception is there to give carers the chance to speak directly to those who are responsible for the policies that affect carers' lives."

Carers Week campaigns for greater recognition and support for the UK's six million carers, and celebrates the contribution they make to society, which saves the economy £87 billion a year.