A HOMELESS couple who have been living in a tent for the past five months have lost all of their possessions in a fire.

Kevin and Susan Howe say youths may have started the blaze which destroyed their tent at the side of the River Tees at Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The couple have camped there for 22 weeks since being evicted from their home in the town, rented from Home Housing, after running up £2,500 arrears.

Mr Howe, 46, a Falklands veteran said he was woken by a loud bang on Tuesday evening and realised the tent was on fire.

He was able to get his wife out and then was knocked back into bushes by exploding cylinders of camping gas as he tried to rescue their possessions.

The couple said they have been victimised by youths in the past and last week their tent was pelted with eggs.

Mr Howe, who suffered burns to his leg, said: "We're properly homeless now, we've lost everything. But it could have been a lot more serious."

The shock caused Mr Howe to have an epileptic fit. He had to be treated at hospital because his medication was destroyed in the blaze.

Last night, the couple said they hoped to stay with friends, but this may only be for one night.

Mrs Howe, 39, said: "We need to get a roof over our heads because it's beginning to get cold now."

The three-bedroom tent was given to Mr and Mrs Howe by a couple in Willington who read of their plight in The Northern Echo.

Mr and Mrs Howe are on waiting lists for accommodation with Teesdale and Wear Valley councils and the Tees Valley Housing Group. They are also looking into renting private accommodation.

Sergeant Neill Baker, from Barnard Castle Police, said: "The investigation into the incident is ongoing and inquiries are being made. At this time, we are unable to confirm how the fire started. From a police point of view, it seems highly inappropriate for a couple to be living in a tent at this time of year with the onset of cold weather approaching."