Robbie Savage launches Wrexham dementia campaign

A leading footballer has opened up about his family's experiences with dementia to raise awareness of the effect that the condition can have on people's lives.

Robbie Savage, who used to play for the Wales international team and Derby County, told the BBC about his experiences ahead of the launch of a new Alzheimer's Society campaign in Wrexham.

His father has been diagnosed with dementia and this has had a major impact on Savage as he has seen him struggle with the disease.

Mr Savage explained: "It's soul destroying to see the man I idolise fighting such a cruel disease."

His comments were made ahead of the Mapping the Dementia Gap campaign, which also involves Tesco and Alzheimer's Scotland, and aims to improve diagnosis rates across the UK.

Last year, the BBC reported that Mr Savage's father had been diagnosed with Pick's disease, a form of fronto-temporal dementia that predominantly effects those in their 40s or 50s.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.