A homeless man who has been using a rusted old ambulance as a makeshift home is to be evicted from waste ground which he is parked on.

Andrew Costa, 52, has been homeless for two years but has spent the last ten months living in the ambulance. At the moment, he is parked on wasteland off Albert Road, New Barnet, which is often the site of fly-tipping.

However, Mr Costa, a popular visitor to the nearby Builders Arms pub, in Albert Road, now says that he has been served with an eviction notice by Barnet Council, despite being repeatedly turned down for accommodation.

Before living in his ambulance which was bought by his mother Mr Costa lived in a tent in Victoria Recreation Park, Park Road, New Barnet, which he was evicted from.

Mr Costa said: "They've got a warrant which they've served. They have given me seven days to move but it's gone past that now.

"It's been mayhem. It's been two years since I've been without a home and I physically and mentally feel empty."

Mr Costa, who keeps a large dog to protect him, says he has been the subject of verbal and physical attacks while living here.

A council spokesman said: "Barnet Council has no obligation to house single homeless people unless they are assessed as being vulnerable."

An assessment of vulnerability would, in part, be based on the victim's mental and physical health, and is decided upon by the council's homeless services unit.

If a homeless person requests help, the council requires them to undergo an assessment. If, like Mr Costa, they are not deemed vulnerable, the council recommends that they turn to another organisation for assistance, such as homeless charity Shelter or street rescue service Homeless Action in Barnet.