YOUNG carers were treated to dinner and presented with medals at a new Bournemouth restaurant.

Members of the business community in Kinson joined forces to help organise the event in conjunction with the owner of the Spice of India, Shahik Miah.

Now they hope to organise similar events in the future to recognise good work going on in the community.

Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Derek Borthwick was joined by councillors Lawrence Fear and Norman Decent for the event, to commend the efforts of young carers who give up hours of their time to look after loved ones.

Terry Ali of SLR Building and Decorating Services was one of the organisers. He has been involved in several fund raising initiatives in the past.

He said: "I heard a feature about young carers on the radio at Christmas and it occurred to me that there must be a lot of them in the Bournemouth area who receive no recognition.

"I contacted the council and they were happy to put young carers in touch with us. The event was a great success."