A HOMELESS man living in a disabled toilet has hit out at critics by saying he is highlighting the plight of homeless people.

Former postman and Big Issue seller Simon Norris, 46, has been living in the toilet in the Lower Gardens in Bournemouth on and off for several weeks.

He sometimes stays in the disabled toilet near the Commodore Hotel on Southbourne Overcliff Drive and joked that he likes the sea view.

However, Mr Norris is trying to find more suitable accommodation and believes that Bournemouth Borough Council has a duty to house him even though the council do not believe he is vulnerable enough to qualify for housing.

He said: "I am trying my best."

Mr Norris first made the news when he received a letter from the Bournemouth Churches Housing Association addressed to The Disabled Toilet, the Lower Pleasure Gardens, Bournemouth'.

Following publication of the story in the Daily Echo readers responded on the paper's website.

Louise from Winton wrote: "He sounds like a social misfit and shouldn't be housed. Just leave him where he belongs, in the toilet."

One reader asked why the council should house Mr Norris and others suggested that Mr Norris should sort his behaviour out before he is entitled to a house.

Mr Norris said: "I am not bothered by negative comments. It is not just me who is in this situation. The council says there are very few homeless people but that is not the case. I am sure there will be 40 or so guys sleeping on the streets tonight.

"The negative comments are from people who don't know me. People who do know me think that I am doing something good for homeless people."

Other readers were more supportive of Mr Norris's situation.

Stephen Williams, from Bournemouth, challenged members of the borough council to spend a night in the toilet themselves.

Mr Williams wrote on the website: "We have a homeless man living in a public toilet, and the council says he is not vulnerable enough; what constitutes vulnerable' to the fat cats in power? Being an asylum seeker? A teen mother? Being homeless is an issue and being without a home leaves you vulnerable."

Diane Platt from the association said: "Mr Norris has not yet attended a meeting with us and our outreach workers have been trying to find him because we do want to try and help him."

A spokesman from Bournemouth Borough Council said that the council was in discussion with Mr Norris and homelessness charity Shelter.

A council head count two weeks ago recorded six rough sleepers. Council staff are investigating a further 150 people currently staying in hostels or with friends who claim to be homeless.