A YOUNG mum may have to give up her place on a college course - because her childcare cannot be funded.

Tammy Jayaguru from Chatham was hoping to start the access to healthcare course at Mid-Kent College in September but a letter from the college has left her re-considering.

She originally thought she would be eligible for childcare costs while she studies up to four days a week.

But the family receives £15,050 in benefits each year - £50 over the government threshhold to be helped with childcare costs.

Tammy's husband Maurice gave up his job a year ago to care for Tammy after she suffered severe post-natal depression.

Now she is better, she wants to re-train and go back to work.

She said: “It’s the first time we’ve ever claimed benefits and we’ve always paid our taxes, so it feels like a slap in the face. I wanted to go to college so I could get a better job.

“We didn’t want to live off benefits but we had no choice because I was ill."

For the full story, see Monday's Medway Messenger.