Meet Britain's most shameless mum: Mother-of-twelve who rakes in £40,000 a year in benefits and spent £1,300 on gifts for her son's sixth birthday tells taxpayers: 'Stuff your opinion'

Cheryl Prudham, 33 (left and inset), who lives in Lancashire, uses taxpayers' money to lavish nearly £12,000 of gifts on her children per year because she wants them to feel 'truly special'. For her son Leon's sixth birthday, she and her 31-year-old husband Robert - who receive around £40,000 in state handouts - bought him a 50cc petrol quad bike with a personalised number plate which cost £500 (bottom right). On top of that, the couple also bought him a bouncy castle for £650 (top right), before spending £150 on other items. But, despite admitting frittering away the money, the mother - who says she is a 'reluctant celebrity' - claims she does not care if people criticise her spending habits. Mrs Prudham - who at one point even compares herself to Princess Diana - even suggests taxpayers could give her money via direct debit to 'cut out the middle man'.