AMID sky-high childcare costs, many rely on family members to help lighten the load - but some don't even have this option.

Gemma Wilson, moved from the local area to Ballymoney when she married husband, Philip.

But since the arrival of their two girls, Emily (6) and Anna (4) being far away from family has proved challenging, and expensive childcare has placed strain on both their household budget and their marriage.

"For our six-year-old we pay for an afterschool club, which is affordable, but the real cost is with the childminder for our four-year-old," she said. "All things considered, we are paying £1,200 per month, well over the cost of a mortgage, for childcare.

"We get some government help for the afterschool club, but the childminder comes out of our picket. I work full time as does my husband, and he often has to work at the weekends just to get us through.

"The constant worry about bills has put a strain on our marriage. It's a constant struggle, and we have no family near us that can help out. All my family are in Tyrone."

Gemma adds that her own wage "just about" covers monthly childcare costs - and while she often thinks she would be better off not working, she doesn't want to leave her "rewarding" occupation to stay at home.

"People often say I am a fool for working, and that I would be better off at home," she said. "But that's not who I am. I love my work and have always worked. I would miss it too much.

"I wish the government would provide more help for working families.  When the Executive came back, they said it was the first thing on the to-do list, but where is the action?

"They (the politicians) aren't the ones living day-to-day and paying out the bills."

However, for the Wilsons, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In September, their daughter will start school, which will be a huge help for the family budget.

"There is that guilt about wishing time away, but come September when our youngest starts school, it will be a massive help. Paying £40 a week for an after-school club will be much cheaper than £300 per week for a childminder.

"Until then, we are hanging on by a thread."