A HOMELESS man living for three months in a car parked on a public recreation ground will be offered help to try and find a place to live before legal action is taken to evict him, a parish council has decided.

The man has been living in a Vauxhall Cavalier on playing fields at Masham, near Ripon, where overnight stops are banned.

Masham Parish Council is under continued pressure to evict the man from the popular tourist spot.

At their meeting on Monday, it decided to examine the possibilities of Harrogate Borough Council, a housing organisation or charity being able to house him.

Chairman Andy Burrell said instigating legal proceedings against the man would only be taken once all other possibilities had been explored.

Some residents have expressed fears that if action is not taken the man's long stay could set a precedent on recreation land which includes a public picnic area, bowling green and tennis courts.

Councillor Burrell said the council clerk, Alan Shinkfield, had spoken to the man and found him "perfectly amiable".

Council vice-chairman Flo Grainger said sympathy had been expressed for his plight, but the council was coming under pressure from the public to take action.

Police had earlier told the parish council that the man, estimated to be aged about 50, had been urged to move on, but without success.

Earlier, the man had been given a letter saying that if he did not make some arrangements to move within a fortnight legal action would be taken.

That deadline has passed, but the issue was debated at this week's parish council where the help before legal action decision was carried.