A COUPLE who camped on a riverbank for seven months while they were homeless are celebrating the first anniversary of their new life in a one-bedroomed flat.

Kevin and Susan Howe had to put up with an arson attack, cloudbursts, gales and deep mud when they lived in a tent beside the River Tees in Barnard Castle, County Durham, after being evicted for rent arrears.

But just before last Christmas, they were given the keys to the flat, 18 miles away in Coundon.

The 12 months since then have transformed their lives.

Mr Howe, a 47-year-old former soldier, said: "It has been really wonderful to have a roof over our heads after that dreadful time on the riverbank. We feel like normal people once more."

Mrs Howe, 41, said: "We got the keys just in time, as we could not have survived last winter in a tent. We were at the end of our tether. It is marvellous to have a warm place we can call home."

They were evicted by Home Housing from a house in Barnard Castle for arrears of £2,500, a sum the couple say built up because they expected housing benefit, which was eventually refused.

But after they used benefit money to clear most of the arrears, Home Housing let them the new flat, and with the help of social workers, they have kept up-to-date with the rent of £45 a week.

A military charity helped them with furniture and equipment.

Mr Howe, who is disabled, said: "We are grateful to have been given this place, and for other help we've received. We wanted to prove we could be good tenants, and I'm sure we have now done that."

The couple intend to apply to Home Housing in the new year for a transfer back to Barnard Castle, to be closer to their relatives and friends.

Mrs Howe said: "We were both born and brought up in Barnard Castle, so we think of it as our real home and we would love to be back there."

A Home Housing official said they could not discuss individual tenants.