Young people who normally spend their life supporting parents or siblings with mental or physical disabilities were given the chance to relax and enjoy themselves at a special summer barbecue on June 24.

Buckinghamshire Freemasons held its 11th young carers summer barbecue for more than 180 people aged up to 16 so they could enjoy being ‘children’ again for the day.

They enjoyed a petting zoo, music by a local DJ, two face painters who came and made the children feel like superheroes or princesses, as well as a bouncy castle and sling shot run.

Nicholas Hills Sands-Potter, event organiser, said: “This year we had families that hadn’t engaged with the charity for over four years come along to the event and were finally given the chance to leave the house and not feel like they will be looked at or treated differently. To be able to organise this means a lot.”