TWO of the women behind the campaign to save the Hillcote respite centre in Salisbury from closure have been presented with Carer of the Year awards by the charity Mencap.

Tanya Dunn and Bernice Jackson were presented with the award for their selfless devotion to looking after their sons.

Mrs Jackson is a full time carer for her son Tyler Green, who has Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that means he is brain-damaged, suffers from seizures and is unable to walk or communicate.

And Mrs Dunn cares for her son Liam, who has severe autism.

Mrs Dunn said: “We are really grateful for the award and we are really grateful to Mencap for everything they have done since we started the Hillcote campaign and for the support they are still giving us. It is overwhelming really.”

Both have been at the centre of the campaign to save Hillcote, in Manor Road, where the boys go for respite care.

Wiltshire Council plans to close the facility and instead provide care at an alternative centre in Devizes or through specialist foster carers.