A COLLECTION of military miniature figures is helping a man in his war against alcohol.

The homeless 26-year-old, who has asked not to be identified, was told by a psychiatrist to find an interest.

After walking past the Games Workshop in Skinnergate, Darlington, he decided to start buying the military figures.

Now, with an army of about 70 figures he regularly takes part in War Hammer games at the shop and is beating his depression and addiction.

"It's helping me and keeping my mind focused," he said.

June Booth, senior project worker at Tom Raine Court, the Salvation Army hostel in Darlington, where the man lives, said she had seen a big improvement since he began collecting the figures.

"He is saving his money and spending it on the tiny models, which he then paints and he has built up quite an army. When he first started doing them he was so shaky, but he has worked through all sorts of difficulties and has put so much energy and effort into them."