TV today launched a UK-wide campaign to find the ITV Carer of the Year.

For the first time, as part of the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, ITV will highlight and reward the work of the nation’s caring community, honouring those unsung heroes whose work often goes unnoticed.

With more than six million carers in the UK and one in ten adults taking on an unpaid caring role, ITV will be asking its viewers across the UK to nominate the people who make a difference to other people’s lives. They could be caring for one person or many, they could be devoted foster parents or they could be careworkers, such as nurses or doctors, who have gone beyond the call of duty.

The final winner will be presented with the prestigious award at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards in October. Now in its ninth year, it is the biggest awards event of its kind in the UK.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown is today taking part in the launch to find the Carer of the year. He said: “As I’ve travelled around Britain I’ve met some of the six million carers who are transforming our country by the attention, support and the care and love they give to so many people.

“It’s time we acknowledged people who are carers and celebrated the work carers do. And it’s time that we thanked them properly for what they are doing. That’s why I’m delighted to be supporting the ITV Carer of the Year Awards and urge people to submit their nominations.”

Michael Grade, Executive Chairman of ITV plc said:

“Carers - often unpaid - provide a valuable service and help hold our communities together. This award is an important recognition for those who care for others. We’d like our viewers to tell us about the people they know who devote time and energy to looking after another person or people. They could be a neighbour, a family member, a friend or a member of the caring professions whose extraordinary commitment to others is over and above the normal call of duty.”

Carol Vorderman is presenting the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, and said:

“I have no doubt that we will receive truly remarkable stories in our search for ITV Carer of the Year. Caring, by its very nature, has to happen locally. It’s about the small things done every day, often many times a day in a selfless manner for others. If you know anyone, or know of anyone who cares for you or for any of those you love please put their names forward as a nomination. It’s only you who can tell us about these incredible people so please do it now and make it a massive celebration as part of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards. Thank you. ”

The winner in each of the ITV Nations and Regions will receive a cheque for £1,000 and will be invited to the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, where the overall winner of ITV’s Carer of the Year will be announced. The three runner-ups in each nation and region will receive a cheque for £250.

Nomination forms will be available online at www.itvcarers.com or by calling freephone 08000 11 34 05. ITV’s 16 regional news programmes will launch the nationwide search on Wednesday July 11th at 6 p.m. The nomination process will close on Wednesday August 15th.