A HOMELESS couple who were told they could move from a tent into a council bungalow have had their hopes dashed.

Kevin Howe, 44, and his wife, Susan, 39, will have to go on camping on the banks of the River Tees in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

They were told at the weekend that Teesdale District Council planned to give them the keys to a one-bedroomed bungalow at Copley, four miles from Barnard Castle.

But the council's chief executive, Charles Anderson, said later that the offer was being withdrawn because the bungalow, in a group designed for elderly people, would not be suitable for the couple because the council would not be able to provide the support they needed.

However, he said the council wanted to help and would do its best to find a suitable place for Mr and Mrs Howe, who were evicted from a Home Housing property because of £2,500 rent arrears.

Mr Anderson said: "We have a social conscience and we intend to make every attempt to assist this couple."

As Mr Howe gathered sticks for his camp fire, he said: "We are really disappointed about this setback after being assured we would get the keys to the bungalow soon.

"We are both sick of living on the riverbank and really want to get a roof over our heads.

"All we can do now is hope that the council keeps its word and tries to find a way to help us. We can't put up with this for much longer.

"We knew the small bungalow would not be ideal for us, but it would have been far better than living in the open air. I am not in good health and this is not helping."

Mrs Howe said: "We had our hopes built up and it is cruel to have them dashed in this way."

Mr Anderson said the council had gone as far as it had to legally, but that he and other officials were now discussing with the council leader, Councillor Ken Robinson, how they could help.

Mr Howe, a former soldier who suffers from epilepsy, said the arrears built up because he expected housing benefit to cover the rent, but it was eventually refused.

The couple have agreed to hand over control of an incapacity benefit so it can be used to pay their rent and reduce their arrears once they are given somewhere to live.