THREE men who have spent a significant time living in a homeless shelter, care and sofa surfing, have finally found a place they can call home in Barrow.

The house was renovated by Furness Homeless Support Group. The charity now has 15 units of supported accommodation assisting individuals who are homeless and have ongoing support needs to assist them to live within the community.

Pat Chapples, manager of FHSG said: "You want to make a difference to people's lives, and to see somebody housed and to be happy and successful, that is the most rewarding part of it.”

The house, in Anson Street, is home to John Atkinson, 60; Andy Clark, 24; and Marc Griffiths, 21. They were referred to the homeless shelter for various reasons such as loss of home, debt and health issues.

Mrs Chapples said: "We identified that they needed ongoing support, but wanted to give them the independence of a real home."

The youngest of the trio, Mr Griffiths, told support worker Wendy Phizacklea at the opening of the house: "Do you know, I am really so glad I'm here. It's a real house and I feel like I have a home like I used to have with my carer."

Mrs Phizacklea added: "It's little effort, for massive rewards."

Although the men now have the freedom of their own home, support workers visit the house twice daily to check everything is okay and they are encouraged to visit the charity's day centre in Bath Street, which serves hot meals and drinks.

Mr Atkinson said: "If it wasn't for everyone at Furness Homeless Support Group I wouldn't be here. I honestly can't thank all of the staff who helped me enough."

Mr Griffiths said; "We'd all be on the streets without their help, I'd been in care for nine years and this is the first proper family I've ever had. We are a family here." He said Mr Atkinson is like the dad, while Mr Clark is the cook.

Support worker Sarah McDonald said: "I've been here 13 years now, it's not easy but it's such a rewarding job."

According to analysis by Shelter, more than a quarter of a million people in England are homeless. Figures compiled by the Department for Communities and Local Government estimated that on a single night in autumn 2016 there were 4,134 rough sleepers compared to 3,569 the previous year. A staggering increase of 16 per cent.