AN ELDERLY man previously left on the streets of Bournemouth is now housed in a care home.

David Sutcliffe is being looked after by Bournemouth council's Adult Social Care team.

It comes after Claire Matthews, who runs the Hope for Food soup kitchen at Richmond Hill St Andrews United Reformed Church, said the OAP had been left to "starve" last week.

She claimed the pensioner had been sleeping rough since returning home to the UK earlier this year.

Mr Sutcliffe, who was found in the doorway of a Bournemouth hotel, had previously spent two years living in Spain.

Ms Matthews said he had failed the 'habitual residence test', which entitles him to help.

But today, a spokesperson for Bournemouth Council said he had been receiving "appropriate support" since before the Bank Holiday weekend.

Discussions are ongoing about his longer term needs, they said.

Tim Branson, service manager, Adult Social Care said: "Mr Sutcliffe was assisted by the council to a place of safety last week and we are working with him to clarify his needs and wishes to establish the longer term plan."

In letter penned by council officials following an interview earlier this month, Mr Sutcliffe was told: "Having carefully considered all the facts relevant to your application, I am satisfied that you are currently ineligible for assistance."

Claire and officers from the town's neighbourhood policing team spent time ensuring Mr Sutcliffe was healthy on Friday night.

Hope for Food were called in after a member of the public noticed Mr Sutcliffe was so thin his trousers were falling down.

"We really need to get this man accommodation," she said last week.

"The council seems to think he should be left to head out into the world and get on with it."