A PREGNANT mum said she was being forced to ration food to her six children because the postal strikes had left her with no child benefit.

Margaret Knight, of Bishopthorpe, in York, said she even had to borrow money so her children could afford the bus fare to school.

During postal strikes, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) dispatches all giros for benefits to the post office closest to the recipient's home via courier.

But this week, the £160 giro that Mrs Knight, 32, relies on to feed her large family failed to arrive at Bishopthorpe Post Office.

She said: "I only have my income support to pay for myself and my six children.

"It's been really hard on them. We're having to cut down on food and I'm also having to cut down on gas and electric, so we're all very cold.

"I'm stressed out and upset and I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

"I want the postmen to get back to work because it's having a major impact on everyone's lives."

A spokesman for HMRC said he did not believe it was a widespread problem. But he said that anybody who was experiencing any problems should ring the child benefits' office on 0845 3021444.