A lone Christmas tree is all the cheer this young family expect over the festive period.

Instead of bulging stockings, a warm fire and turkey with all the trimmings Nathan Wilson, 21, and his 13-month-old son Lenny Sparks are facing spending Christmas in a cold and furnitureless flat.

And the young family will greet the New Year with uncertainty as they await the deadline to be evicted from their temporary accommodation.

It comes after Gravesham Borough Council refused to give them a permanent home because of arrears on his rent in 2006.

It has given the pair a temporary flat in Homemeade Court, Gravesend, which they have to leave by January 22 - then he must find private housing.

Nathan was given primary care of Lenny five months ago and has been involved in a pilot scheme with People Support Limited, which provides a live-in support worker.

His mentor Robert Moore believes Nathan and Lenny are being let down by the system because it will not take into account his time in the scheme.

He said: "He’s been more settled in the pilot scheme than when he was just dumped in a council place. He’s a new father having to cope on his own and people should be giving him a chance."

Nathan has already faced hardship looking after Lenny. As he waited for his child support, they lived on £38 a week and he has taken out crisis loans.

He said: "It’s been hard. I don’t know how I’ve done it but Robert’s helped a lot."

Gravesham Borough Council is defending its decision because he never arranged to pay off his debt.

A spokesman added: "At his interview it was made clear to him that the accommodation was for 28 days and was unfurnished.

"He did not say he had insufficient furniture and even requested advice about removals, so housing officers had no reason to believe he had no goods."

Officers are revisiting the pair to reassess the situation.

If you can help Nathan and Lenny, contact People Support Limited on 01708 732 474 or email administrator@peoplesupportltd.co.uk >>>