Worcester parents have around two weeks left to be able to extend their child benefit payments if their child is continuing with education.

Payments will stop after August 31 unless parents inform HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that their child aged 16-19 is continuing in approved education or training.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s director general for customer services, said: "Child benefit is an important financial support for many households and we don’t want to see any eligible family miss out.

"You can extend your claim quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app, just search ‘Child Benefit when your child turns 16’ on GOV.UK."

Victoria Benson, CEO of Gingerbread, the charity for single parent families, said: "Child benefit is valuable to families and particularly single parent families, who are forced to make ends meet on a single income.

"It's really important, with the August 31 deadline fast approaching, that parents whose children are going into further education and training extend their claim as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this crucial financial help."

Child benefit is worth up to £1,331 a year for the first or only child and up to £881 a year for every additional child.