A homeless ex-con forced to sleep on park benches and now facing having his caravan evicted from an industrial estate has said he wants his story to be told.

Barry Jeffrey, 50, from Epsom, said he also wants to expose the borough council for failing to find him somewhere to live after being on their housing waiting list for 14 years.

Mr Jeffrey, who has served time for crimes including burglary, said he suffers from depression, feels increasingly desperate and fears that he could end up back in jail.

He said: "I think this should come to the attention of local people. What can you do? You have got to survive. It’s either that or you go to prison."

The grandfather, who is on sickness benefits, said he was evicted from his privately rented flat in Bahram Road about two week ago because of a problem paying the rent.

Since then he has spent many nights sleeping on a park bench near Pound Lane and later moved into a caravan on the Longmead Industrial Estate in Epsom.

Surrey Comet:

Even though Mr Jeffrey says he is not causing any mess, nuisance or obstruction, he is now being asked to move on but has nowhere to go.

The lifelong Epsom resident went to the council for help on Monday, but was told that he could not have an appointment for a week.

He said: "I have lived here all my life. They don’t want to help me. They won’t give me anywhere to live and now they are telling me I have to move.

"I think my situation should be brought to light because I’m not the only one suffering in this way. It’s probably quite a few people. I think this has to be told."

Surrey Comet:

As well as depression, Mr Jeffrey suffers from alcoholism and has got ulcers. He said he was not given any rehabilitation despite spending years in prison.

He said: "I’m doing the best I can. I’m not trying to squat in houses or sleep in doorways. All I’m asking for is a fair crack of the whip. All I want is somewhere to settle down."

Epsom Council said that Mr Jeffrey contacted housing services at the start of the week and was given the next available appointment with a housing officer this coming Monday.

A spokesman said: "Whilst the council does not comment on individual circumstances, this case highlights the need to engage with the council’s housing team at an early stage and not wait until a crisis has occurred."

He encouraged anyone facing housing problems to seek advice as soon as possible because the council has a number of homeless prevention measures to help them.

With a shortage of available social housing in the borough, the spokesman said priorities for housing are in place that meet legal criteria.

He said: "It is not unusual for someone to be on the housing list for a considerable number of years before they can be considered for social housing, especially if they do not meet these criteria.

"The council works with a number of providers to alleviate this pressure but options can be further limited because lifestyle choices, including criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, mean that private landlords are reluctant to house these potential tenants."