A Bradford father is battling with the Child Support Agency to save himself from bankruptcy.

Stephen Hunt, 31, from Wyke, says he is left with just £155 a week to look after his girlfriend, her three-year-old disabled daughter and himself after his £92-a-week child support payments are taken out of his wage.

He says their cupboards are bare and he is considering giving up his job as a bin wagon driver for Bradford Council as he cannot keep up with mortgage repayments and bills.

"I'm in debt up to my eyeballs," he said. "I'm going to lose my house and we can't afford anything. I have always said I don't begrudge paying money for my little girl, but I'm getting court orders all the time and I'm running at a deficit. I can't afford to go to work, it's just ridiculous."

His girlfriend had lost contact with the father of her child and has had her benefits stopped since they moved in with him, he added. He has also been told he is not entitled to Family Credit.

Mr Hunt has seen his maintenance payments for his two-year-old child rise from £79 a week.

"I'm going to fight this all the way," he said. "I've worked at the council for eight years now and I don't see why I should have to give up my job."

His case has now been taken up by Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe (Lab).

Mr Sutcliffe said Mr Hunt was in dire circumstances.

"We have been pushing for changes in the system for a number of years," he said. "It is a complex situation and there seems to be no confidence in the way the CSA deals with people - Stephen is one of them."

A CSA spokeswoman said the agency could not comment on individual cases but confirmed the maximum maintenance payment, including arrears, was 40 per cent of net income. She added the upkeep of children in a new relationship was only taken into account if the partner was the natural mother or father.