A HOMELESS couple who have been camping on a riverbank for 11 weeks were given a boost yesterday by a family who read about their plight in The Northern Echo.

Kevin and Susan Howe were presented with a three-bedroomed luxury tent to make life more comfortable for them beside the River Tees in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

School caretaker Jeffrey English and his wife, Gail, decided to hand it over after it had been stored unused for two years in their garage. in Russell Place, Willington.

They even bought a new groundsheet for it before driving 20 miles with their daughter Emma, 24, and son Matthew, 18, to put it up for Mr and Mrs Howe.

Mrs English, who walks with crutches because of osteo-arthritis, said: "My heart was touched when I read in the Echo about the couple's little tent being damaged by storms and them buying a small new one for £9.99.

"Jeff and I decided to give them our big tent, which we used only a few times some years ago.

"The couple thanked us and hugged us, and that is all the reward we want."

Mr Howe, 45, a former soldier, said: "This is a wonderful gift which restores our faith in human nature."

Mrs Howe said: "This is absolute luxury compared to how we've been living."

The couple were evicted from a Home Housing semi in Barnard Castle for £2,500 rent arrears. They claimed they believed the rent would be covered by housing benefit, but it was eventually refused.

They have now started paying off the arrears. Teesdale District Council has promised to try to help them. Social workers are also holding talks about how to assist them.