YOUNG carers from Northwich and Winsford had a surprise visit from Liverpool footballers during a day of sports.

Members of Liverpool Football Club, including Satara Murray from the Liverpool Ladies first team, presented certificates of achievement to the carers on their day at Greenbank Sports Academy in the city.

Satara also showed the youngsters the European Cup, which Liverpool has won five times, and gave carers and staff from Cheshire Young Carers charity photographs signed by the Liverpool first team squad and manager Jurgen Klopp.

The young carers also heard talks from Satara, who is from the USA, about how she came to be playing for Liverpool ladies, and from Bill Bygroves, Liverpool's club chaplain and head of community.

Mary Beaumont, charity manager at Cheshire Young Carers, said: "Young Carers are often a ‘hidden’ group of young people who do the essential job of supporting families through very difficult circumstances.

"This might be looking after a sibling or parent who lives with a physical, chronic or terminal illness, mental health problems, alcohol and, or drug misuse.

"This caring role often has a detrimental effect on the social and emotional well-being of the young person.

"Unlike their peers, young carers often do not have the time to spend with friends and join after-school clubs, in addition, they usually do not have a family member who is able to take them to and pick them up from after-school activities and this is where Cheshire Young Carers comes in.

"Cheshire Young Carers is a charity that works with local authorities and partners to support young carers in a number of different ways.

"They offer regular activities to build self-esteem, grow confidence and boost development, as well as putting on special events like the sports day at Greenbank Sports Academy, which allows the young carers to participate in a full one day programme of sports activities, something they are usually not able to access."

For more information about Cheshire Young Carers visit cheshireyoungcarers.org.