A homeless dad says he cries himself to sleep every night in the back of his car, which is too small for him to even lie down in.
Shane Blackwell moved into his motor ten weeks ago when his relationship broke down.
He took the extreme measure as he has no other relationships in the area and has so far faced cramped conditions and freezing temperatures, with the mercury dipping as low as -7C.
While other families will be tucking into a turkey dinner on Sunday, ex-chef Shane will be parked at the side of the road hoping for any meal he can get his hands on, Birmingham Live reported.
Shane, 39, said: "I'm gutted, I'm not gonna be a man about it. I cry every night.
“It's a bit horrible. I can't lie down in it. If I was to sleep I'd be sitting up but I do struggle to sleep quite a lot. I've been getting sleeping tablets but they've not really been helping.
"I've managed to survive in -7C, which is the coldest it's been, I'm still okay, I'm not ill which is surprising.
“I've kept the car running as much as possible but I don't know how much longer I can do it. I'm going to be there on Christmas, there's no choice about it.
"This Christmas is gonna be really weird. Normally I would have my son but because of the situation I can't have him so it's gonna be a really rubbish day."
That dad has received aid Salma Food Bank in Smethwick so has been able to eat during his car trouble.
He added: “"I'm speaking to the council, trying to get some benefits.
"I don't get any benefits and if I do it's not gonna be until January 18. I'm not classed as a priority, no matter what council I go to. When I got some money from work I spent it on some bits for the car and putting fuel in and that's all I could afford.
"I've just signed up for Universal Credit . I've got friends who want to help me but I'm too proud of myself.
"They have families, I don't want to be part of them thinking 'oh my god, we've got to have him here' and all of that, even though they probably wouldn't think that. But that's my way of thinking.
"I've got my space in my car and that's how it'll be until I can get some help."
