Bristol actor and presenter Tony Robinson has called for carers to be given the support they need.

The Bristol-based Blackadder star, who cared for his own mother through her dementia, said carers were the forgotten heroes and heroines of British society.

He spoke out on Carers' Rights Day, giving his support to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers as it hosted an event in Fishponds to mark the day, attended by more than 70 carers from Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

In a message to the trust's chief executive, Keith Sinclair, he said: "It's time to bring carers out of the shadows and give them the support they need. I welcome the work Bristol's Princess Royal Trust for Carers is doing to make this a reality."

There are an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 unpaid family carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, with figures showing that one in five carers gives up work to look after a relative.

Carers UK found they lost an average of £11,000 a year as a result of giving up their job, reducing their hours or taking a more junior position.

Working carers also pay a heavy penalty in terms of their own health. Those with heavy caring responsibilities are two to three times more likely than other workers to be in poor health.

Four Bristol area MPs were involved in Carers' Rights Day on Friday, meeting carers to find out about the issues they face. Kingswood's Roger Berry, Bristol East's Kerry McCarthy and Doug Naysmith, Bristol North, attended the centre, while Northavon's Steve Webb visited four carers in their own homes.

They included Eunice Smith, 80, from Yate, who said: "I do feel that many pensioners who are carers, and have been carers for many years, are being discriminated against because they cannot claim carers' allowance. I have been a carer for my son with learning difficulties for 59 years and feel strongly about this."

Mr Sinclair said: "Anyone who has direct contact with carers, or has been a carer themselves, will understand the huge emotional, physical and financial responsibilities that they take on. It is important they are recognised and listened to and we are pleased to have had this opportunity to bring MPs and carers together."

According to Carers UK, half of all carers cut back on food to make ends meet. Nearly three quarters are struggling to pay utility bills and more than half are in debt as a result of caring.

Imelda Redmond, Carers UK chief executive, said: "Many struggle day in, day out, to provide care for someone they love who is disabled or ill and have found they have no choice but to give up work in order to care.

"While the physical and mental demands of caring often make carers' own health worse, the appallingly low level of carer's allowance, worth only £50.55 a week, is only making life even harder. Carers are being stretched to the limit by the current economic situation."