CARERS in Scotland will receive an extra 10,000 weeks of respite care thanks to a £4m investment by the Scottish government.

Shona Robison, the minister for public health, pledged the new money yesterday to fund more breaks for Scotland's 660,000 carers.

The money is aimed at helping councils meet their obligations under their concordat with the Holyrood government. It will be up to local authorities to decide how best to spend it in consultation with carers, but it is set to be split between dedicated centres, respite care in people's homes and respite holidays.

Ms Robison said: "Carers tell us that respite is the number one issue for them. We are not going to be prescriptive, but we would hope that local authorities will discuss with carers how best to meet local needs."

Maria Getty, 36, who has cerebral palsy, was in no doubt about she thought the cash should be spent. Speaking during one of her regular stays at the Mackinnon Centre in Broughty Ferry, she said: "There should be a lot more of these places. I don't mind coming here because I have friends here now and I can go out to the pictures, which I really like."

Her mother Mary Getty, 55, cared for Maria at the family's Dundee home virtually single-handedly without any breaks until the centre opened. Now her daughter stays one weekend every month and for the Dundee fortnight plus a week in October.

Mrs Getty said: "This centre has made a huge difference to me."