Wiltshire Council has launched a discount scheme to help people who care for a friend or relative, as well as young people with disabilities.

The council has chosen Carers Week to launch the Wiltshire Passport, a discount card that is being given as an incentive for carers who sign up to the Carers Emergency Card and to young people with disabilities who register with the The Key - an online register that keeps young people and their parents up to date on services in the area.

Cabinet member for adult social care, John Thomson, said: “By joining either scheme, carers and young people will automatically receive the Wiltshire Passport, which will entitle them to receive small discounts and additional services at all participating businesses.

“Not only will they benefit from being members of two excellent schemes but they will also receive the added benefit of getting good deals from a whole range of businesses and organisations across the county.”

The scheme has been developed by Wiltshire Council in partnership with Carer Support Wiltshire, the Wiltshire Parent Carer Council, ASK and carers.

Already all Wiltshire Council and DC leisure centres have signed up to the scheme as well as 16 businesses from across Wiltshire.

These include a florist, a petrol station and food store, take away food retailers and restaurants, hair and beauty salons, a garage, an independent living retail store, carpet cleaning services and an electrical goods retailer.

They are all supporting the scheme through offering discounts of up to 30 per cent off their services.

And individuals holding a Wiltshire Passport will automatically be eligible for the council’s Leisurecard, a 'show and go' discount scheme that enables people to access their leisure centres at discounted prices.

All participating businesses and organisations display a sticker in their windows, at tills or entrance doors to publicise that the Wiltshire Passport is accepted.

People can also find a full list of participating businesses at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirepassport

For more information about signing up to the Carers Emergency Card scheme and The Key, contact Mary Baker on 01225 771608 or email mary.baker@wiltshire.gov.uk

Any local businesses or organisations that would like more information on signing up to the Wiltshire Passport can email wiltshirepassport@wiltshire.gov.uk or phone Mary Baker on (01225) 771608.

To find out more about the Wiltshire Passport visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirepassport