A West Ealing man who has dedicated the past 10 years to carers has been given a special award by Ealing Council.

Richard Smith, 59, of Hessel Road, whose wife Eleanor died last year, became a carer when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis a decade ago. Richard, then a semi-professional singer, said: 'I came home one day and found Eleanor flat out at the foot of the stairs. She had been lying there for about four hours and I suddenly realised that I couldn't leave her on her own anymore.

'I felt angry and isolated and it took me a while to work through the anger but I then had to channel it positively into the work I've been doing for carers.'

'I realised that I was a full-time carer whether I liked it or not and that there were hundreds, if not thousands of people like me, isolated and not able to get the help they needed.'

Richard is still vice chairman of the Ealing branch of the Carers' National Association, which he has chaired from 1993. He also helped set up Ealing Crossroads in 1993 ,, a scheme which allows carers to have regular breaks ,, and which he chaired until 1998.

He has also chaired the Ealing Carers Consortium.

Councillor Liz Brookes, cabinet member for adults and families, said: 'Richard's contribution to carers' issues over the past 10 years has been invaluable.'

Twelve other carers from throughout Ealing Borough were also presented with certificates for their work.