A man who found himself homeless, sleeping rough on Exmouth's streets, has been overwhelmed with the community that helped him get back on his feet.

Ian ended up living in a doorway in Exmouth Town centre for more than three weeks following a break-up.

But thanks to the help of one local resident, who called on the community for aid, he has now found himself with a place to live and a job.

Local resident, Ben Reid and his two sons, Bobby, 12, and Ayden, 16, spotted Ian sleeping rough and took it upon themselves to take him hot water bottles and food every night.

Other members of the community also gave him food and hot drinks to keep him going.

After chatting with him, Ben found out that Ian was waiting on help from the council but unfortunately all they could offer him was a train ticket to wherever he wanted to go.

Wanting to help him Ben issued a community plea for help.

He spoke to Mark and Pete from S&B Construction who offered to donate money to buy Ian a caravan.

Ben then decided to post an appeal through the Exmouth Friends in Need Facebook page, through Claire Austin, asking for further community help.

The post received more than 200 responses offering to help support Ian. Members of the community offered to donate everything from food and bedding to cooking equipment.

Ben also found a caravan which he collected on Ian's behalf.

From this Ian has also been offered and accepted a construction job which he starts this week, due to him already having a CSCS card. Buildbase Exmouth has also donated work boots and a hard hat to get him going.

Ben said: "I think everybody is three steps away from being made homeless and my ethos is - if you be nice, nice happens to you. My children are so caring and wanted to help too. My youngest even made him homemade pizza.

"A couple of years ago, when it was snowing heavily, there was a homeless couple sleeping on Exmouth's streets so I let them come and stay in my living room for a couple of weeks - they were so appreciative and good as gold.

"Ian has just had a run of bad luck. I have been visiting him at his caravan and his persona has totally changed, he has a bounce back in his step. It makes you feel so good to help someone in need.

"It is nice to be nice. What is sad was the way the council had been, I thought it was disgusting - all they offered was a train ticket.

"He had worked in the building industry before and was just a normal guy who needed help.

"Give him another couple of weeks and he will be back on his feet."

Ian has been totally overwhelmed by everyone's generosity, and couldn't be more thankful to the wonderful Exmouth community.

Ben said: "He is so grateful for the help and is looking forward to getting his life back on track."