Hard-up worker is sleeping on bench

Road sweeper John Pettit, 51, earns £220 a week but now sleeps on a bench in the freezing cold. He insists he can't afford to pay for a one-bed flat in Exeter, Devon, which costs an average £450 a month plus £120 in bills.

John said he does not qualify for emergency help because he has a job, but is only on the minimum wage.

So he sleeps in a city park, where locals bring him flasks of hot water.

Previously he lived in his car in a pal's garage for three years before being evicted last month.

A council spokesman said John had been offered housing assistance but chose to live rough instead. He added: "He has made fresh contact and we will hopefully be able to give him housing advice."

- Sitiemilia , Singapore.