HOMELESS brothers who were forced to sleep in a camper van have finally found a permanent home.

Dave and Mike Oliver lost their home in Newtown Road, Worcester, in October, after Dave suffered a heart attack and could not keep up his mortgage repayments.

Because Mike, aged 61, is mentally and physically handicapped, Worcester Community Housing said he could not be offered temporary bed and breakfast accommodation, and would have to go into respite care.

The brothers, who have lived together for more than 30 years, refused to be parted, so moved into a camper van.

Eight months later, the housing group has given them keys to a two-bedroom flat in Grenville Road, Dines Green, Worcester.

Dave, aged 58, said: "Me and Mike have been together since childhood really.

"I wouldn't be without him.

"We would never have been parted - even if I'd had to have gone and lived in a tent.

"The bond is that close."

He said they were thrilled to finally have a place to call home.

"It's about time, but I am very pleased," he added. "It's a base now, so we are not having to worry about where we are going to live next. We can probably start relaxing again."

Dave said he needed to decorate, carpet and furnish the flat, before they move in, in about three weeks.

The pair spent a some time living with Dave's daughter Cheri Symmonds at her Ronkswood home until February, when a stranger, who wishes to remain anonymous, allowed them to rent his bungalow in St John's, until they move into their new home. A spokesman for Worcester Community Housing was unavailable to comment as the Worcester News went to press.