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Christina Briggs, 26, hates being a size 26 but moans she is powerless to lose weight because all she can afford is takeaways, chocolate and crisps.

The mother-of-two claims low fat food costs too much.

She has been warned by her GP her health is at risk from heart disease and diabetes because of her size.

Christina, who lives in a council house with her 10-year-old daughter and two-year-old son, wants extra handouts so she can afford healthy grub and a gym membership.

She wants the government to sponsor her £1 for every 1lb in weight she loses – or give her vouchers for fruit and veg.

"It's not easy being overweight and on benefits,'' she said. "If I was well off I'd be able to buy fresh food and afford a gym membership.

"I tried swimming but it cost £22-a-month and meant I had to cut back on my favourite pizza and Chineses takeways. It's not my fault. Healthy food is too expensive.''

Christina, from Wigan, told ITV's This Morning she started putting on weight as a child due to medication she received for meningitis.

She piled more on when she fell pregnant while she was at school following a one-night stand. Then she started comfort-eating after being bullied over her vast size.

The orange-haired, tattooed mum now raises her two children, who have different dads, on her own and fears unless she gets help she may not live long enough to see them grow up.

She said she cannot get a job because she needs to be at home to look after her youngsters one of whom has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

And she dare not go jogging because she fears passers-by will laugh at her.

She said: "I need more benefits to eat healthily and exercise. It would be good if the government offered a cash incentive for me to lose weight.

"I'd like to get £1 for every pound I lose or healthy food vouchers.

"If the price of healthy food was lowered that would help, too. I need help, but I need it from the government.''

She said she understood why her extra cash claim may anger taxpayers but believes everyone should be able to afford healthy food and a gym.

"This is not just for me - for working people too,'' she said. "I want the cost to be lowered. I want the cost of food to be lowered.''

But her demands sparked internet outrage.

One taxpayer said: "Eat a bit less, love, that'll save you some money.

Another wrote: "You are a travesty to our benefits system.

A third said: "Let's see...tattoos or veg? Tattoos or fresh fish?''

While a fourth wrote: "Utter rubbish - she talks it and eats it! She doesn't work so has plenty of time to cook fresh healthy food from scratch. No excuses, just lazy selfish and greedy. Never have I heard such tosh.

"A takeaway for her and her children must be a minimum of a tenner and could range to £20. For £10 pounds I could feed myself 3 dinners and 2 lunches easily.

"There has been numerous times where I have wanted a takeaway, but guess what? Fruit and veg is cheap and good for you!

"This woman is a lazy, cynical, overweight slob who blames everyone else but herself. As for exercising? Doesn't cost to walk or go for a jog around your area.''