THE 20th anniversary of a carers’ group in the Forest and Herefordshire was marked with an afternoon tea party.

The event, in the beautiful surroundings of the Wilderness Centre at Mitcheldean, celebrated the role of unpaid carers in particular.

Crossroads Care was set up by a group of local people in 1996 and now covers the whole Forest, supporting people in their own homes and at day centres in Cinderford and Lydney.

The not-for-profit care agency aims to provide practical help, support and social opportunities to carers and those they care for.

Carers and the people they care for were joined by staff of Crossroads Care to enjoy a delicious spread and listen to music from the Forest Flute Choir.

The occasion was also attended by Countess Bathurst, the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, and Dame Janet Trotter, the county’s Lord Lieutenant.

Crossroads’ chief executive, Pam Graham, said: “It has been 20 years since a group of local people set up the carers’ support charity, initially known as Forest of Dean Crossroads Caring for Carers.

“Since 1996 the service has grown and developed and now supports over 300 carers and their families throughout the Forest of Dean and Herefordshire.”