Liverpool or the streets – this was the decision facing one mother five days before Christmas.

Mother-of-two Laura Spooner tweeted her outrage at Waltham Forest Council last week alongside images of packed bags.

She had been told to leave her home and move to social housing in Liverpool with two days’ notice, less than a week before Christmas Day.

The council told her on December 18 that she no longer qualified for housing in the borough and was instead offered housing in Liverpool.

Ms Spooner claimed she had been bidding for a home in Waltham Forest and the house in Liverpool was the first placement she had been offered.

But she said that she did not have the money to move out or travel to Liverpool - so was made legally homeless.

Ms Spooner said: “When I first heard that we had to move to Liverpool, I was alarmed, distraught, stressed and scared. It actually caused me to have a panic attack, which was very dangerous for me as I suffer from asthma.

“Luckily I had my asthma pump inhaler on me, which saved my life.

“If it was not for the help of my cousin and friends, I would had been left to live in the streets by Waltham Forest Council.”

Ms Spooner immediately appealed the council’s decision and is currently awaiting its response.

Her children aged 8 and 9 were distressed by the news of the move to Liverpool.

She added: “When I told my kids that we were now homeless, they both started to cry.

“They were upset that they missed our usual Christmas celebrations.

“They are not their usual selves at the moment – they are very quiet and cry if I mention moving to Liverpool.

“My daughter in particular is devastated. She usually spends weekends with her dad in Waltham Forest and she doesn’t want to be separated as they are very close.”

Ms Spooner had previously lived in Lewisham for the past four years and lived in Leytonstone for the four years before this.

She has received Job Seekers Allowance, Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for nine years.

She claimed the council explained she was not entitled to accommodation in Waltham Forest because falls into the category of people in receipt of benefits and unable to afford London rents.

Cabinet member for housing Cllr Louise Mitchell said the council was facing huge pressure on its housing stock and that residents who meet the criteria for in-borough housing are prioritised.

She added: "Ms Spooner visited our offices on Tuesday 18 December for an assessment of her longer-term housing as she was in temporary accommodation.

Her situation was assessed by an officer who found that she met the criteria for out-of-borough housing, and a property in St Helens was offered which Ms. Spooner initially accepted. However, Ms. Spooner later informed the housing service she would not accept the placement.

“She was advised that we will cancel her temporary accommodation and that she had the right to request a review of the decision. She has since returned the keys to her temporary accommodation and has advised that she has made her own arrangements with friends and relatives.

“Where possible we will always try and provide accommodation in or near to the borough, to avoid breaking up families, friendship groups and support networks.

“We regret that this not always possible, due to spiralling costs of accommodation in London combined with the continuing, unprecedented cuts to our budget by central Government - but we are determined to ensure those in need have a decent, safe roof over their head.”