Kelly Field from Merseyside began to gamble online when she was off work for an extended period. Within six months she got £10,000 in debt and was borrowing more and more. Kelly continued to gamble until she got help from the Liverpool-based Beacon Counselling Trust.

She said: “It was a real struggle for me to find the courage to speak to my GP about my gambling. Increasing specialist support is brilliant. We need to raise awareness about the ways gambling can have a negative impact on women as well as men so we can stop others going through what I have.”

If you’re struggling with gambling addiction or know somebody who is, you can get help from the NHS Northern Gambling Service by calling on 0300 3001490, email [email protected] or visit https://www.northerngamblingservice.n....