A mum struggling to survive on Universal Credit says she has had to beg on the streets to fund Christmas and buy her daughter a tree.

Desperate Annette Hodges, 27, travelled 20 miles to her nearest city and asked strangers for change in an effort to raise £12.

The unemployed mum from Liskeard, Cornwall, took the drastic action as she wanted to give her one-year-old daughter Amy some festive cheer but can't afford it.

And today (Friday)Annette was seen begging around the streets of Plymouth, Devon, to raise enough cash to buy one from B&M.

Annette, who has been claiming benefits on and off for the last four years, said: "Life is really hard, really hard.

"It's been particularly hard because I didn't get my backdated pay from Universal Credit.

"I get £600 for the month to survive on.

"Yet my rent is £425, then there's gas and electric, which is £40 and £30, and so already it's gone."

Annette admitted she got the train up to Plymouth without paying, which then resulted in her getting a £20 fine.

Her plight comes as more and more people come forward to share their experiences of trying to get by on benefits.

Outcry was sparked earlier this month after it emerged Universal Credit claimants would not be entitled to a £10 Christmas Bonus.

"I've come to Plymouth to try and ask people for money so I can put money on my electric, and get £12 for a Christmas tree from B&M," Annette added.

"I want to be able to get my daughter a tree; this is my first Christmas with her."