250,000 KIDS GO HUNGRY AT CHRISTMAS

Benefit cuts and soaring bills to hit prezzies too

- TOM AMBROSE

CRUEL benefit cuts and soaring living costs could mean 250,000 children go hungry this Christmas.

A worrying report from the Childhood Trust says one in five families it surveyed fear they will not be able to afford a turkey dinner - and thousands will go without presents.

Twenty-eight per cent of mums questioned said they have gone without food so their kids could eat.

Trust chief executive Laurence Guinness said he was “gravely concerned”.

He said: "The social and economic situation across fuel, food and support services will force families into making impossible decisions between feeding their child or keeping them warm.