THEY are the young unsung heroes who step into the breach and care for a member of their family who would normally be looked after by an adult.

Now, a video written, acted, filmed, directed and edited by young people at Eastleigh Young Carers' Project is to spread the word about the roles they play and the issues youngsters under the age of 18 face when they take on the responsibility of looking after someone else.

The video, called Who's Caring?, was made over the course of two months in the summer under the guidance of Eastleigh Council's media arts development officer, Crispian Cook, Gary Cassey of Cass Productions and the young carers' original project co-ordinator Heidi Kavanagh.

The 15-minute film was financed by a £4,795 grant from the National Lottery's local groups' scheme and is now planned to be premiered on December 17.

After that, copies of the video plus a learning resource pack will be sent to all schools, colleges, social service, family and child guidance, youth clubs, education and welfare organisations within the borough of Eastleigh.

The Eastleigh Young Carers' Project is part of Eastleigh Community Services and provides information, advice, advocacy and activities, club nights and services to young carers in the borough.

Project co-ordinator Chris Walsh said: "I think this film is very important.

"In the past three years the number of young carers identified in the UK reached 175,000 and there is probably that number again who haven't been identified.

"These young people have the responsibility of looking after parents or siblings who are suffering from things such as terminal or long-term illness, mental distress, physical disability, alcohol and drug dependency.

"This video illustrates some of the problems they are faced with and also suggests some ways in which more help could be given to them.

"Being a young carer means that these young people don't have a choice about whether they help or not.

"They don't have time to go out with friends, do homework or just relax and simply enjoy their childhood."

The premiere of the film will be held at Eastleigh's dance and arts centre, The Point, in partnership with the 7.30pm Junk, Funk and Cyberpunk event which will showcase some of the music, dance, video and computer-animation projects undertaken in the past year under the direction of Eastleigh Council's media arts development department.

For more information about the Young Carers' Project contact 023 8090 2465.