YOUNG carers from Wiltshire may have shaped Government policy on carers and their schooling.

Children who look after an adult often have problems combining their responsibilities with their schoolwork, and can sometimes end up being bullied as a result.

Wiltshire Young Carers' Forum wrote to Tony Blair and explained to him the problems they faced, and made some suggestions.

Mr Blair passed the letter to Ian Thompson at the Department of Education and Employment, who was so impressed with the youngsters' ideas that he came to Wiltshire to discuss them.

Over a working lunch at Youth Action Wiltshire's headquarters in Devizes he said he would look into several of the suggestions they made, and maybe even include them in policy on disadvantaged pupils.

Alison Perry, of Wiltshire Young Carers, said; "The young people found it really useful talking to him and were pleased that he took the time to speak to them.

"Schools do need to be aware that young people are caring.

"It may be that they can't do homework, they usually can't do after school detentions or go on school trips and they may have behaviour problems, especially if they are being bullied at school.

"If the schools are aware of this they can make allowances for the carers."

More than 400 young carers have been identified in Wiltshire.

It is believed there may be as many as 900.