Picture Ref: 77143-83A WOOTTON Bassett mum has spent three days in the lap of luxury while her husband looked after their four children.

And on Friday his struggle to cope will be shown on national television.

The ITV's Mums On Strike gave Alison Twine, 35, a break at a five-star Bristol health spa, where she spent her time being massaged and generally pampered.

Meanwhile husband Neil, 39, was suddenly placed in sole charge of his four children, including triplets.

Neil, manager of an electrical wholesalers' in Cheltenham, said: "It was very demanding, from the minute I got up at 6.30am on the first day.

"In fact I was on the go from then until I went to bed.

"It was non-stop. There was hardly any time to eat, and I had just one cup of tea in the day.

"In the evenings I was feeding, bathing and putting them to bed, and then cleaning up after them.

"There was no time for myself, so it was a real eye-opener."

After three days looking after Jack, seven, and Lauren, Harry and George, who are all two, Neil is full of admiration for his wife.

He said: "I changed about 50 nappies in three days. I just don't know how Alison does it.

"And she's just set up a secretarial business, which she's running from home. Most of the time I come home and dinner is prepared."

Alison said she thoroughly enjoyed her three days of putting her feet up.

She said: "Going away was great.

"I was with another mum and we were thoroughly spoiled.

"There was loads of champagne and lots of lovely food.

"The facilities at the hotel were magnificent."

And she is proud of the way her husband coped with running the home in her absence.

She said: "I think he did exceptionally well, and I'm very proud of what he's done.

"He's always been a very hands-on dad.

"Although he's always understood what I have to go through, experiencing it at first hand makes a huge difference."

Another local family, Geoff and Angie Sherwood from Toothill, are also featured on the programme today.

Snooker hall owner Geoff Sherwood, 55, has ten children with Angie, as well as two from his first marriage.

He was undaunted by the task of looking after the brood himself, but his family were delighted when their mother returned from her time at the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel.

He attempted to cook a roast dinner for his Toothill family.

But it proved inedible and they ended up going having to out for a meal at the Village Tavern.

The Sherwoods appear on the show today at 2.45pm, and the Twines at the same time on Friday.

Dave Andrew