A seven-year-old girl has written a letter to Father Christmas asking for a home and food for her family.

The letter was left in a Christmas postbox at the L6 Community Centre in Everton, Liverpool.

Local councillor Gerard Woodhouse, who opened the letter, said: "It was so upsetting to read."

Shirley Marshall from the centre said since the letter went viral they have been "inundated with support" and they are "overwhelmed"

The little girl writes: "Dear Father Christmas. Can you help?

"Can we have a home for Christmas? Mam wants us to be all together. Can you give us some food and can I have just a nice doll for Christmas? Thank you."

The letter appeared when the team at the community centre began decorating for the festive season.

They left the postbox in a cafe for visiting children to post their Christmas wishes.

'So upsetting'

Mr Woodhouse said the girl and her siblings currently live with a relative.

"I know the children, and it's not right that a seven-year-old child is worrying about Christmas," he said.

The community centre team is trying to help the family and may put them up in a hotel on Christmas Day.

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