Childcare costs are soaring across the country, and Haslingden and Hyndburn is no exception.

I know from talking to people that childcare is becoming an increasingly large part of household spending.

Across the UK, childcare costs are the single largest financial burden facing families with young children, with part-time childcare for two under 5s costing around 4.7% more than the average mortgage bill, and for full time care it is around £12,000 a year.

The projections are also