A HOMELESS man who took up residence in a garage he rented from Swindon Council is going to be evicted.

Gordon Dear, his partner Melanie Ogden and friend Barbara Hyatt have all been living and sleeping in a small garage at the back of Howard Close in Walcot for the past three weeks, but the council says it is not fit for human habitation and has served an eviction order.

Mr Dear, who suffers from mental health problems, pays a weekly rent of £4.12 for the garage, which he used to store his possessions while living at Swindon Council's Davis House homeless hostel. But since he was asked to leave the hostel three weeks ago he has been living in the garage.

The squatters have had the blessing of some of the local residents, who have been providing them with blankets, clothes, fresh food and water.

Mr Dear, 33, said: "I've been abused and even stabbed on the streets in Swindon and I'm terrified of going back there here I feel safe and we're not doing anyone any harm.

"We were not planning on staying here forever, but in the meantime this is warm, dry and away from trouble and for the residents it's like having 24-hour wardens around the area."

The council's housing area estates manager Chris Cossey said: "The eviction notice was served last Friday and these people should have been out of the garage on Monday. We have already changed the locks and are definitely going to evict them.

"This garage is available to rent and store personal possessions, but it's not for residential use and we've had complaints about what has been going on there.

"These people can come in and see us and get advice about housing through the proper channels because there is proper residential accommodation available for homeless people."

There are currently around 20 people sleeping rough on Swindon's streets, with some housed in homeless hostels like Culvery Court or Davis House in the town centre.

Barbara Hyatt, 47, a qualified horse riding instructor, ended up homeless two years ago.

She said: "This is a godsend because without it we would be on the streets, cold and bitten by insects. People don't realise that we're educated, they just think homeless people are scum and stink."

Howard Close resident, Roy Baker, 70, said: "The council left a notice pinned to the garage door with a telephone number to call, but these poor people don't have a phone so I let them use mine. I don't mind helping them out because they're doing no harm."

Swindon police spokeswoman, Alvina Kumar, added: "The police are normally made aware when the local authorities enforce an eviction order. Police involvement in these circumstances is to act in support to ensure there is no breach of peace."