A COUPLE were forced to live in a caravan for more than a year after the council couldn't rehome them because of their pet pooch.

But St Keyne couple Brian Leslie, 58, and his wife Sandra, 53, say they can now finally look to the future after a charity help set them up in a bungalow.

They were given a deposit and a month's rent by the Royal British Legion and almost £1,000 by Ideal Homes for Heroes to get them on their way.

The had been living in a tiny, badly insulated caravan in Whitsand Bay because the council refused to rehouse them unless they gave up their dog.

Mrs Leslie has little short-term memory, suffers from panic attacks and endured depression while in the caravan.

Aimee Gee, from ABF The Soldiers' Charity, said: "They were unexpectedly turned out of the house they had rented for seven years and couldn't afford anywhere else.

"They found the local council unhelpful and eventually found military charities could help as Brian had served with the Scots Guards from 1972 to 1984."

Mrs Leslie had a stroke so living in a caravan was hard for her, and Mr Leslie was suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder from his time in Northern Ireland.

"It has been really difficult for us over the last couple of years but things are looking up," he said.

Mr Leslie thought military charities only helped those injured as a result of service.

"I'm quite proud and don't like to ask for help unless I really need it but if I had known about the help available I would have accessed it sooner," he said.

Mrs Leslie is unable to work following a stroke caused by complications from a hysterectomy, so the couple relied on Mr Leslie's NVQ assessor wage.

The couple said they approached the council but only qualified for help if they sold their furniture and their patterdale terrier, Benji, who they said was like a child to them.

The couple were told they had to stay in a B&B, possibly separately, for up to six months. Disabled access was not guaranteed and they would have to leave each day.

They dismissed the council's offer as unacceptable and instead moved into their caravan, paying £300 per month at a holiday park with no direct water supply.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau suggested military charities could help and the couple found a bungalow in St Keyne through Graham Wright Estate Agents in Liskeard.

Shortly after moving in, Mr Leslie secured a job managing the Bay Side Bar and Grill in Seaton.

He said: "Living in a bungalow is perfect for Sandra and we have a spare room for visitors and a nice garden for Benji to run around in.

"Thank you to the charities and Wright's estate agents."

A spokeswoman for Cornwall Council said it used a range of emergency accommodation including regularly inspected B&Bs.

"We will always try to accommodate dogs, but not all emergency accommodation providers permit this," she said.

The council aims to make decisions within 33 working days and uses B&Bs as temporary accommodation in emergencies.

To support the appeal, visit:

www.idealhomesforheroes.com.