A SCHEME designed to give carers a well-earned break is failing in Ilkley because of a desperate shortage of volunteers.

Bradford Social Services Shared Care Scheme aims to offer short breaks to children and adults with physical and learning disabilities.

Volunteers offer families a vital break and the chance to lead a normal life - for anything from a few hours to a full weekend.

Carers are queuing up in the area to take part in the scheme but organisers are finding it difficult to make the match.

Clare Burrows, link worker with Shared Care, which offers volunteers expenses, said: "We are desperate for people in Ilkley. We find it very difficult to recruit carers in Ilkley.

"We have people on our waiting lists who we can't take on because we don't have enough carers in the area."

Andy Goodman-Picken, 39, of Leicester Crescent, Ilkley, is one volunteer who would recommend the scheme to others.

He and his wife, Karen, 36, care for 15-year-old Tom, who has Downs Syndrome - and say it is a very rewarding experience.

Mr Goodman-Picken said: "Tom has been coming to us for more than three years. It is about us having a relationship with Tom, making sure he has a good time. We are good friends with him. The benefit for us is having Tom, who is very loving and enthusiastic."

The couple, who have a son, Laurie, ten, care for Tom one weekend a month and say his visits fit in easily with their routine.

Mr Goodman-Picken said: "It is about Tom fitting in to our routine, just going out for a drink in a caf at lunch-time or going to the supermarket."

Geoff Green manager of Shared Care, said: "Link carers can choose to spend as little as 35 days a year helping a child or adult with learning disabilities. We are desperate to find more carers - even if you only have a bit of spare time - it can make a huge difference and can enrich the lives of both the disabled person and their family. Carers can also choose to care for people in their own homes or if they prefer, they can go to the disabled person's home."

Anyone interested in taking part should telephone (01274) 754596.