Tomasz and Marzena Doroszenko with Angelica, 10, and Sylvia, 4

Catering worker Tomasz Doroszenko, 42, claims he has been struggling to get benefits he is entitled to, because of confusion over his employment history.

He, his wife and two young daughters were put in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation in Gloucestershire after Mr Doroszenko lost his job in Chepstow.

On Wednesday, they were evicted after Chepstow Housing halted its payments.

A statement from Monmouthshire County Council said: "Although he has permission to work in Britain, we have received confirmation from the Home Office that he hasn't recourse to public funds and therefore isn't eligible for housing assistance."

We are desperate. My family must be safe. Hopefully I'm going to find a job Tomasz Doroszenko

Mr Doroszenko said: "We are desperate. My family must be safe. Hopefully I'm going to find a job."

The family have now been taken in temporarily by a couple from Saul who heard about their plight on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Laurence Baker and Theresa Palmer said the four had settled in well and were making friends with their dalmatian.

The Salvation Army has provided the Doroszenkos with food parcels and the homeless charity, Shelter, is trying to find them a permanent home.

Gloucester branch spokesman Chris Lowrie said: "The whole key to their future housing rests on their ability to find work.

"We wondered whether the previous work experience would be able to qualify them, unfortunately, if they didn't register at the time, there's no way according to the Home office of registering retropectively."

Gloucestershire social services said they could only become involved if the children were put in danger.