BEDROOM tax payments have left a woman and her disabled husband fearing they will "die of starvation" as they have no money left for food.

Kim and Larry Evans, of Teal Avenue, St Mary Cray, have two spare bedrooms and need to pay £30.84 a month in bedroom tax.

They are willing to move but have been unable to find a place suitable for the needs of Mr Evans, who suffers from multiple sclerosis.

And while they stay in their current property, the additional payment is leaving them struggling to buy food.

Mrs Evans, who works as a full-time carer for her husband, said: "We have lived here about 17 years and the house has been adapted to my husband's needs.

"We have had an extension put on the side of the house and the shower room has been adapted so he can use it more easily.

"But since this bedroom tax came in we haven't been able to keep up with the payments and are falling further and further behind.

"We haven't got enough money to buy food.

"We're looking for a new house but we need one that my husband is able to live in."

Mrs Evans says they sought help from their housing association, Affinity Sutton, but were told there was nothing they could do, and to approach home seekers instead.

The 52-year-old said: "All home seekers have told us to do is keep an eye out.

"But at this rate we'll either die of starvation or we won't be able to pay our rent and we'll get evicted.

"My husband cannot move, he cannot walk, he can just about feed himself.

"On a bad day he can't even give himself a glass of water."

She added: "I always thought as council tenants we would have this house until we were dead but now this tax has changed everything."

A council spokesman said: "We are working closely with our housing association partners, Job Centre Plus and the DWP to offer advice and assistance to those affected by the benefit cap and the spare room subsidy so households can find the best option for them in the light of any shortfall in benefit.

"We are also working with our housing association partners to look at discretionary payments where this is appropriate."