A SINGLE mum-of-eight turned her back on benefits and set up her own business...only for thieves to ruin it.


Naomi Woods, 40, saved up for months to buy a burger van, then it was stolen from a rented lock-up in Maldon Road, Southend.


Naomi had been out of work for 15 years but decided to take up night shifts at ASDA, in Shoebury, last November.


She saved up £2,000 over three months before sbuying the business last month. But now she is back to square one as she was still saving up to insure the van.


Devastated Ms Woods said: “It’s so frustrating. I feel like I’ve worked for months for nothing, all my wages since November have been for nothing.”
She was also worried about proposed cuts to benefits which are set to kick in this spring.


She said: “I wanted to work, but I’ve got no choice but to work because of the benefit cuts coming in this April, I wouldn’t survive.


“I wanted to get in early and get a job before everyone was out there trying to get a job, plus my youngest starts school in September.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.