A woman who has lived in Kent for two decades has had her benefits stopped after apparently ticking the wrong box on a government form.

Christine Hopper - widow of celebrated musician Hugh Hopper, famed for his involvement in Canterbury band Soft Machine - is French, but has lived in Whitstable since she moved to the UK 23 years ago.

She married long-term partner Hugh in 2009, just two days before he died from leukaemia, and has raised their daughter in the town.

But last month, she was shocked to find her benefits had stopped without warning.

Now, Mrs Hopper - a Tai chi teacher - has been left relying on hand-outs from friends, and unable to make ends meet.

“I’ve been renting the same place for 20 years,” she explained.

“But now I haven’t had my housing benefit, and my rent needs to be paid for November and December.

“I’m living on the charity of friends. It was my daughter’s birthday and mine recently. She brought me a basket of food - I have food from friends who give me £20 here and there. I was in control of my budget until now - I was all right. But now I can’t sleep - I wake every few hours because I’m so worried.”

Upon investigation, Mrs Hopper was told her benefits had been stopped because she had ticked a box on a Habitual Residence Test that claimed she was a British citizen, when she is in fact French.

She was duly told she had no right to Universal Credit as she had “not acquired a permanent right to reside in the UK”.

A letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: “There is not enough evidence available to say conclusively that Mrs Hopper has resided in the UK in accordance with the Immigration EEA Regulations 2016 for a continuous period of five years.”

But Mrs Hopper vehemently denies indicating she was British in her Habitual Residence Test.

“I would never do that - I am French,” she said. “I’m a European person, and we still are in Europe. Brexit hasn’t happened yet. How can someone suddenly tell me I have no right to live here? What can I do to feel safe?

“The least I want is an apology - not just for me but for other people who can’t defend themselves - I’m lucky enough to live in a lovely town with a lovely bunch of friends to help me.”

The DWP stressed the importance of filling out government forms carefully and correctly.

A spokesman said: “Universal Credit was originally paid to Ms Hopper after she declared she was a British citizen.

“When her claim was updated, Ms Hopper confirmed she was French and after failing a Habitual Residence Test she was found ineligible for Universal Credit.

“We are looking into Ms Hopper’s case which has now been referred for a mandatory reconsideration.”