WHEN garage bosses parked a van on the roof of their business they hoped to attract customers.

But a cheeky man liked the look of the Nissan Cargo so much he decided to move in.

The squatter was discovered a year after the van was hauled on to its lofty perch.

Garage boss Jason Raine was horrified to find out that his unwanted guest had used the vehicle as a love nest for rooftop romps.

A quilt, the remains of pies and pasties, old trainers and condoms were among the items recovered.

The van had been parked on top of Pat Lavery's garage in Horden, east Durham, to promote the firm.

Mr Raine, 33, and business partner Tony Richardson only discovered they had an uninvited guest sleeping above them when they climbed up to check on the van.

Mr Raine said: "I got the shock of my life. I went up to the van and it was all locked, so I chucked a brick through the window.

"I stuck my head inside and nearly died. The young bloke got a bit of a shock too.

"He said he had just been staying there for a few days, but he had all his stuff there with him and must have been there for months.

"There was a quilt, a mobile phone, bits of pies and pasties and contraceptives, as well as a few pairs of old trainers.

"We put the van up there to get a bit of attention for the garage. We never thought someone would think to start living in it."

District of Easington Council has now put an end to the unknown man's temporary accommodation.

The garage has been threatened with prosecution unless the van is taken down, after it was branded an eyesore by neighbours.

Mr Raine said: "It looks like we have no choice but to take it down, so he will have to find somewhere else to go from now on."