THE founder of a Yorkshire charity which plays a key role in supporting Craven's growing number of unpaid carers is to retire after 20 years at the helm.

Anne Smyth, who was awarded the OBE in 2013 in recognition of her work locally and nationally, plans to step down as Director of the Carers’ Resource at the end of the summer.

Now the trustees of the charity, which has an office at Broughton Hall, has launched a recruitment drive to appoint her successor and build on the platform she has created.

Anne, who lives at Ripon, said: “As the charity celebrates its 20th anniversary, it seemed a fitting time for me to retire. I will say goodbye at the end of the summer once we have a successor in place and completed a smooth handover together.

“The past two decades have been an amazing journey, during which I have been fortunate to meet many inspirational carers who are doing amazing work, day-in day-out, under enormous pressures and to work with an exceptional team of staff and volunteers.

“It was not an easy decision to retire, particularly as the needs of carers are in the national spotlight as never before.

Since it first opened its doors, the charity has helped nearly 20,000 young carers, parent carers, grandparent carers and adult carers.

Potential applicants are encouraged to visit carersresource.org for more information.