The devastating effect of the cost-of-living crisis has laid bare in messages which have been left on a pub's Christmas tree.
Landlords at the Percy Arms in Chatton, Northumberland, were left "shaken" after they invited children to write letters to Father Christmas.
Instead of typical asks like new toys or video games, pub staff received altogether different wishes from the local children.
One child dreamt of "clean clothes" while another said he was used to getting "nothing" for Christmas.
As part of the regional Christmas initiative, pubgoers were invited to collect the wishes written on tags which were hung on a Christmas tree and buy them a present.
An eight-year-old girl wrote: "Clean clothes, please. Mine are dirty. Size eight to nine years".
A 15-year-old girl said: "A present for my dad. He’s sad since my mum died and not in a good place".
While a six-year-old girl said she wanted: "Something to make with mammy."
Another note, written on behalf of a 17-year-old boy, simply said: "Anything, as he’s used to getting nothing."
The pub, part of The Inn Hospitality Group portfolio, teamed up with Bedlington-based community organisation Christmas For All.
The Inn Hospitality Group co-founder Oliver Bennet said the children’s requests "had shaken each and every one of us to the core".
He added: "You can read about hardship and food banks and poverty.
"But to see, written down in black and white, young children asking simply for some clean clothes for Christmas – well, that really hits you.
"And many of them – despite having so little themselves – put others’ happiness before their own.
"That’s the real spirit of Christmas isn’t it – and it’s heartbreaking that it’s taking children to remind us of that."
Christmas for All is looking for gifts for more than 2,000 underprivileged children in southeast Northumberland.
Some of the children have been referred to Christmas for All by other similar services, local authorities and the families themselves.
The main reason for this is due to inflation.
The purchasing power of people has decline over time, meaning money isn't goin as far today as it used to.
In October, Pprices rose by an eye-watering 11.1 per cent in the year, the Office for National Statistics said.
Energy costs are one of the biggest drivers of consumer prices.
According to the agency, prices alone have leapt nearly 130 per cent higher over the past year.
Groceries such as eggs and dairy have also increased by 12.4 per cent since last November.
