A VETERAN from Darwen who was on the verge of being homeless was saved by a local charity on Remembrance weekend.

The man, who had served with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, would have been forced to sleep in his car after events out of his control left him homeless.

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But in the wake of Saturday's Remembrance services in Darwen town centre, he approached town council mayor Trevor Maxfield for help.

In conjunction with charity Salute, new accommodation was found for the man, with town council deputy chairman Coun Pete Hollings approving a small payment to help finance it.

Coun Maxfield, himself a former soldier with the Royal Kings Hussars who is now Armed Forces Champion for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Our veterans are ready to give their lives for their country, but so often once they return to civilian life they can hit hard times.

"It is so important that we are there to help them when this happens and it was great that we were able to put some money towards accommodation for this man and it was especially poignant on Remembrance weekend."

Salute is an East Lancashire charity set up three years ago to help former servicemen and women adapt to life as a civilian.

The charity offers help and advice to local veterans who are finding it difficult to cope.