HOMELESS Darren Wiggins is facing his third winter sleeping in a tent on a piece of wasteland in Calne.

Mr Wiggins, 41, is desperate to find a proper home now that cold weather has arrived and he is finding it difficult to sleep in his makeshift camp.

He said: "I really need to find somewhere to go. These last few days have been so cold. I don't think I can face another winter living like this."

Mr Wiggins, who has two Staffordshire bull terriers Tyson and Charlie for company, also said he has been plagued by youths who think it fun to torment him and throw things at his tent.

He said: "When it was Halloween I had kids throwing fireworks. It was quite scary. They think it is funny but it is very upsetting for me and the dogs."

He admits that he was evicted from a former housing association home in Wootton Bassett as he was in arrears with his rent. He said: "When I was first evicted in February, 2013, I stayed with friends, when I could, sleeping on sofas. But it didn't really work out very well and so eventually I found this bit of land and I have been living in a tent."

He is registered disabled following a motor cycle accident which left him with a serious back injury and made it impossible to work. He receives benefits of £120 a fortnight and has been told he would be eligible for housing benefit of £435 a month if he can find a private home to rent.

He said: "I haven't been able to find anything for that sort of money where I can take the dogs and I am not getting rid of them. They are like my friends.

"I did find a caravan but I was told that it didn't qualify for housing benefit. The cold weather is terrible for my back and I am in a lot of pain."

Mr Wiggins is being helped by people who live near where he camps close to Abberd Way. One man, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals by youths, said: "It is wrong that in this day and age someone has to sleep in a tent. A number of us do what we can to help him. I give him food and I offered him some brandy but he says he can't drink because of his medication.

"He adores his dogs and really looks after them. He is often tormented by youths but the police do keep an eye on him to make sure he is ok. I just hope that someone can offer him something even if it is just a garage or a shed to sleep in during the winter."

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “"We are concerned that Mr Wiggins continues to sleep in a tent and we are in regular contact with him to try and find suitable accommodation for him and his two dogs, and have offered assistance to do this."