A heartbroken mum has been forced to tell her 10-year-old son that she won't be able to afford any Christmas presents this year due to the cost of living crisis.
Christine Borton, 48, was devastated when she had to inform her young son Dayjanta Samuels not to expect any gifts on Christmas Day.
She said the boy "already knew" and "wasn't surprised" as he is aware of the family's "desperate" financial situation.
The single mum-of-three has been struggling to pay the bills since she was left unemployed due to medical reasons and lost her job as a support worker last year.
She has been forced to survive on food banks and Universal Credit monthly handouts since April - but says it doesn't even cover her monthly bills.
Now Christine is facing further winter hardship as the cost of living crisis ramps up fuel and electric bills, leaving her short on cash.
The mum has decided to avoid buying presents so she can her son can make it through the winter months.
Christine, who has two grown up children and lives with Dayjanta in Wednesbury, West Midlands, said: "Life is tough right now. I'm unable to cover all my outgoings, I can't cover my basic needs never mind presents.
"I told Dayjanta about four weeks ago. I told him there wouldn't be any presents. It broke my heart.
"He has been looking forward to a Christmas present but he realises now it won't happen. I think in a way he already knew. It wasn't a surprise."
She added: "I am very worried about the next few months. Dayjanta looks at the electric meter and keeps telling me how much we've used - he's obsessed about our finances all the time.
"A 10-year-old kid shouldn't have to worry about that."
Christine, who is trying to get back into work, has now called on the government to better support struggling families during the winter.
She added: "The only plan I have is to get a job, and trust me I have tried.
"Now my bills are nearly £1,200 and my Universal Credit doesn't cover that. I haven't been shopping since January. My freezer is empty."
She continued: "I don't think the government really cares. They have given a bit of money to help with energy - but what about gas? What about food?
“Sometimes I just want to scream and pack up and leave but where am I going to go?"
Football-mad Dayjanta practices every day and has promised to share his money with his mum if he becomes a professional player.
Christine added: "Dayjanta is football crazy. Every Saturday we practice football at this place.
"He always says he's going to share his money with me, telling me all the things he'll buy me.
"But he's a worrier, he's very concerned about what's going off. But he doesn't need to be worrying about all that at his age. It's hard right now but we will carry on."
