A POPULAR actress, who began her career in Ipswich, has spoken of the “vital” role that carers play in the community.

A POPULAR actress, who began her career in Ipswich, has spoken of the “vital” role that carers play in the community.

Pam Ferris, known to millions as Ma Larkin from her role in hit television show Darling Buds of May, opened an exhibition on the work of carers to mark Suffolk Family Carers' 20th anniversary celebration carnival in Claydon yesterday.

Mrs Ferris, whose first job was treading the boards of the Old Rep in Ipswich in 1973, thanked all the family carers around Suffolk for the “amazing job” they undertake every day of the year.

She said: “It is so lovely to be back in Ipswich. I was a carer in the early 1980s for my mother-in-law so I know what that feels like and when you hit that experience you empathise with what these people are going through.

“I am very touched by the timeline they have made because of my own personal experience. Without these people there is a whole world of care that is not getting done. They are wonderful.”

Also an honorary vice-president of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Mrs Ferris added that nationally family carers save the Government the equivalent of the money it takes to run the National Health Service.