A desperate father from rural China has dug a grave for his critically ill daughter to 'prepare her for her death'.

Mr Zhang Liyong, a farmer from Sichuan province, had spent all his savings treating the toddler, who was born with a serious blood disorder.

The father said he brings the two-year-old to play and rest at grave every day to get her 'familiarised with her future burial space'.

Mr Zhang Liyong, a farmer from China, has dug the grave for his critically ill toddler girl

A clip posted by Pear Video has revealed the heart-breaking story, which occurred in Neijiang city, south-west China.

In the video, the father lay in the grave while holding his daughter, Zhang Xinlei.

Little Xinlei was diagnosed with thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder, at two months old.

Mr Zhang and his family had spent over 100,000 yuan (£11,490) treating Xinlei, but they could no longer afford the medical bills.

The father (left) hopes the toddler will not be so fearful when the moment of her death comes while the mother (right) said they have been driven to a corner and have no other options

'We borrowed money from many, but they are no longer willing to lend us more', Zhang said.

The couple thought of bearing another child to get the umbilical cord blood to save Xinlei. However, they realised the transplant wouldn't be affordable after Zhang's wife became pregnant.

'We have been driven into a corner. There is no other option,' Deng Min, the girl's mother said.

They decided to give up the treatment and turned their focus on preparing Xin Lei for her death.

'I could only come up with this idea - bringing her to play at this place. This is where she will rest in peace. All I can do is accompanying her every day,' the father, Mr Zhang, said.

He hopes that Zhang Xinlei will feel comfortable with the grave and won't be so fearful when the moment comes.

Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder. According to NHS, People with the condition produce either no or too little haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

Thalassemia patients will need life-long treatment by blood transfusions or Chelation therapy.