London woman survives on mint tea and one meal a week to stave off hunger so she can feed her six cats

A woman has been forced to live off one meal a week so she could continue feeding her six cats. Yasemn Kaptan, from Tottenham, London, said she has been skipping meals for a year to be able to provide for her pets after she had to quit her job following health issues.

The 46-year-old stay-at-home carer receives a £69 allowance a week - £60 of which she spends on her felines. Yasemn also receives £400 monthly disability benefit due to her osteoporosis, which goes on rent and bills.

She said she drinks mint tea to stave off hunger and has lost five stone since cutting down her food intake. Yasemn said she got her cats when she worked as a personal shopper and could comfortably look after herself and the cats and pay her bills.