A FORMER Gurkha who was reduced to sleeping on a mattress on a bedroom floor has been helped out by a housing provider.

Former Gurkha Gajurman Rai, 74, joined the British Army in 1961 and fought for the country for nine years.

Thanks to the national campaign highlighting the plight of the Gurkhas, headed and supported by actor Joanna Lumley, Mr Rai won the right to live in the UK, but he is not entitled to an Army pension.

Mr Rai and his wife, Dhan Kumari, have lived in rented accommodation in Catterick Garrison since 1997.

The couple’s story was highlighted by charity Community First Yorkshire who contacted Yorkshire Housing’s Swale home improvement agency who rehomed the pair in Catterick Garrison.