A GRIEVING daughter has ensured she'll be with her late mum on Christmas day - because she plans to scatter her ashes on the turkey.

Debra Parsons has been eating her mum Doreen's ashes since she died in May because she wants to feel "as close as possible" to her.

8 Debra Parsons plans to scatter her mum Doreen's ashes over her Christmas dinner this year Credit: Mirrorpix

But the 41-year-old's craving has got even stronger in the run-up to Christmas so she plans to dust the turkey and Christmas pudding with her remains.

Debra, of Folkestone, Kent, told Sunday Mirror: "It is the only thing that will get me through my first Christmas without mum.

"People might think I’m mad or that it’s not a very respectful thing to do but I just can’t stop myself.

"I feel like she can live on by being inside of me because if she is part of me she can breathe through my body. My breath is her breath."

8 Debra has been eating her mum Doreen's ashes ever since she passed away in May Credit: Mirrorpix

8 Grieving Debra says eating her mum's remains makes her feel as if the pair are closer Credit: Mirrorpix

8 The craving for ashes has become stronger in the run-up to Christmas Credit: Mirrorpix

Doreen passed away suddenly from an airway obstruction after suffering a chest infection in May leaving Debra distraught.

She was given her share of the ashes two months later by her sisters, who are unaware of what Debra has been doing to them.

Originally she kept them in a sandwich bag and carried her mum with her to bed and around the house - but one particularly difficult day she got an "urge".

Debra said: "I opened the box and licked my fingers and just dipped them into the powder.

8 Doreen passed away suddenly from an airway obstruction - leaving her grieving daughter devastated Credit: Mirrorpix

8 Debra's sisters don't know what she has been doing with the ashes Credit: Mirrorpix

8 Debra started out by licking her finger and dipping it into the ashes - but now wants to make her a part of Christmas dinner Credit: Mirrorpix

“Before I knew what I was doing they were in my mouth and the chalky, salty taste was comforting. I felt confused by what I had done to begin with but the feeling of comfort and closeness it brought was the first bit of solace I’d had since her death.”

But with Christmas just around the corner, Debra wants to move on from tasting her mum with her finger or "on a little spoon".

8 Apparently, the 'chalky, salty taste' of the ashes has been comforting Credit: Mirrorpix

She instead wants Doreen to be a "part of the celebration" and is even planning to prop up the table with a photo of her mum on the "very special day".

Debra, who is getting married next year, added: "I know my mum would have been happy for me to do whatever I needed to get over no longer having her in my life.”

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