TOWN hall officials have acted to stop a man living rough on a patch of land close to the M66 roundabout at Heap Bridge - by removing his belongings.

Lee Mellor – who described himself as the “Bear Grylls of Bury” – had been living in a tent off Rochdale Road near Waterfold Business Park.

But last week, the 28-year-old returned to his camp to find that his possessions – including a tent, portable gym equipment and trampoline – had been confiscated, prompting him to borrow another tent from his cousin so he had somewhere to sleep.

Rochdale Council, which owns the land, have since confirmed that council officers removed items from the land and have offered Mr Mellor alternative accommodation and support.

Mr Mellor, a self-employed metal worker, who formerly attended Broad Oak High, said: “I had been out during the day and when I came back at seven or eight o’clock that night, all of my stuff was just gone.

“I’m not one for sleeping in bus stops or anything like that, so I went and borrowed another tent from my cousin.

“I had no warning that they were going to take my things. I know people want to get rid of me, but nobody let me know this was happening."

He added: “I don’t understand why they would take my things and I don’t see what their problem is. They say they will move me to some other accommodation, but I don’t want that – I’m fine where I am.

“I’m not blasting out music or taking drugs, I’m just minding my own business.”

Mr Mellor, who says he chose the plot as he had fond memories of playing there as a child, reported the missing items to the police.

He originally moved onto the land because he said his mother was diagnosed with cancer and he wanted to give her space at home.

He has denied accusations from local businesses that he has behaved anti-socially, though he has been banned from the nearby Village Hotel and Waterfold Farm pub.

A spokesman for Rochdale Borough Council, said: "We have spoken again to the individual concerned and offered him accommodation and support. 

“Last week our enforcement officers started to remove items of refuse that had been fly-tipped on the land adjacent to the roundabout on Waterfold Business Park."