DEMENTIA is not an attention-grabbing cause, but as Sir Cliff Richard has revealed, it brings terrible heartache to thousands of people.

He was speaking about his personal circumstances to highlight World Alzheimer's Day - but his experiences could be transposed to families anywhere in the UK.

His mother, Dorothy Webb, is aged 86 and her dementia is now so advanced she cannot walk or talk. It is, as the veteran entertainer admits, like watching a living death.

Her family thought she had just grown forgetful when she first started showing signs of the disease, but this rapidly spiralled into the situation where she could not be left alone.

She would wander off and eventually they had to arrange 24-hour care for her in a home.

It's easy to imagine the frightening feeling of not remembering people and places, not understanding where you are or why you are there. It is less easy to imagine watching someone you love disappear in this upsetting way.

Relatives still caring for dementia sufferers must be on call throughout the day and night in a draining and emotional existence that puts a terrible strain on individuals and family life.

Bolton has some effective support services, notably the group that meets at Thicketford House and which has good projects including prompting memories with photographs and items from the past.

The town's excellent Carers' Support organisation also offers help and advice for those involved in the very hard job of looking after someone with dementia.

But, of course, we can always do with more assistance for the people who save the health service millions by taking on these voluntary full-time nursing "jobs."

So, it's worth helping this cause in any way we can because, don't forget, as you read these words, 750,000 men and women in this country are suffering from dementia.

And, one day, it might be you or someone in your immediate family.