Most students are able to focus on their studies and social life but Alex Robinson is also the carer for his 21-year-old fiancee.

Sarah has cystic fibrosis and is too ill to work.

Mr Robinson, also 21, has to prepare her feeds and drugs and ensure that her oxygen tubes are working properly.

He has spoken of the financial and mental experiences that he faces as part of Carers Week.

A survey by the charity found that almost three quarters of carers are experiencing such extreme levels of stress and depression that they are suffering breakdowns and, in some cases, even attempting suicide.

Mr Robinson, of Kingswood, is a trustee with Carers UK, one of the organisers of Carers Week.

The University of the West of England law student said: "Carers only get about £53 a week allowance, and if you are studying, like me, or on a pension, or earn over £95 a week in employment, you can't claim the allowance.

"It doesn't seem to me to encourage people trying to work or study while caring for a loved one."

The couple have been together for three-and-a-half years, after meeting on the internet.

Mr Robinson is originally from Preston, and Sarah is from Bournemouth.

The most important part of Mr Robinson's care role is ensuring that her feed and oxygen tubes are working properly when he gets up, and Sarah often needs intravenous antibiotics administered between two and three times a day so he needs to ensure that they are set up in a sterile environment.

He said: "Sometimes it does feel like hard work, mainly for me because of the isolation.

"I don't get out as much as I would like to. I would love the opportunity to go out more or work, but with looking after Sarah, and my course, I can't.

"But I wouldn't swap my situation for the world – I love caring for Sarah."

"I know other carers feel very isolated and angry with the limited support they get from the authorities. It can make people quite down and depressed."

Mr Robinson is supported by fellow carers through the Carers UK online forum where people can talk about their situation and give advice.

The last Census showed that there were 35,344 carers in Bristol, providing unpaid care to ill, frail or disabled friends or family members.