AN unemployed couple who have eight children will tell a national TV documentary they should be given a bigger home in Colchester.

Lee and Katrina Parker, have told Channel 5 it is impossible for them to find a suitable home in the borough because of the inadequate benefit payments they receive.

They were placed in emergency accommodation by Colchester Council earlier this year after they were evicted from the privately-owned four-bed home they were renting in the town.

They couldn't afford the £950-a-month rent following caps placed on their benefits.

The couple receive benefits including child tax credits, child benefit, disability living allowance and job seekers' allowance.

But since these were capped at £26,000 under the Conservative government, the couple say they have been priced out of being able to afford a home big enough for their family to rent and are appealing to the council to find them a suitable property.

The family have been offered more than £800 a month in housing allowance and the council have now deemed them 'intentionally homeless'.

Katrina says the housing allowance they have been offered is not enough - as to rent a four bed house in Colchester typically costs at least £950 a month.

Moving is not an option, according to the couple.

Their story will feature in Channel 5's On Benefits, 26 Kids And Claiming om Mnday. shold give A Colchester Council spokesman said: “We are currently providing temporary accommodation to the Parker family in a large three-bedroom home. The family were homeless following eviction from private rented accommodation which had been secured some years previously by the council through its family Home Bond scheme. Our Housing Options Team had previously provided advice and assistance to avoid this eviction. We have found Mr and Mrs Parker to be ‘intentionally homeless’, and we are continuing to work with Essex County Council Social Care Team and Family Mosaic to respond to this situation.”