Malmesbury archaeology graduate Vieve Forward is reduced to living in a tent because she can't afford a home in the town she was born in.

The 51-year-old has been on the housing list ever since she returned to Malmesbury after finishing a three-year course at university.

As a mature student, she graduated from University College London in September with a BA in archaeology and is now camping out in the tent that she usually uses while on archaeological digs.

Miss Forward said: "I was born in Malmesbury and brought up here, I love this town and it is my home. I want to stay here but I can't afford the rent on even the cheapest houses."

She said there is plenty of affordable accommodation for older people in the town and is concerned that younger generations are being forced out by high prices.

On returning to Malmesbury, Miss Forward began work as a receptionist after her application for funding to do an MA university course was turned down.

She said: "My take home pay is about £143 a week and the cheapest place I have found in Malmesbury is £435 a month, and that is before council tax and bills."

Miss Forward had been staying at her brother's house, but as he has his son and two cousins living there he was forced to ask her to leave because of overcrowding.

Miss Forward's new home is the Burton Hill campsite.

She said: "I think eventually I will have to move to Swindon because rent is cheaper there, but I am desperate to stay in Malmesbury. It is my home and has all my friends and family here.

"Also if I move to Swindon I will lose my place on the housing list, so will lose any chance of ever being able to move back.

"I'm living in the tent I use for archaeological digs and I think I will be OK here over the summer.

"I just hope and pray that before the winter sets in the council will be able to find me a home.

"I have been on the waiting list for ten months now and as I am homeless I have the maximum number of points, but they still don't seem to be able to find anywhere for me to live."

Westlea Housing Association, which manages the housing list for North Wiltshire District Council, said Miss Forward's application would be given top priority as she was now to all intents and purposes homeless.

Spokesman Nick Taylor said: "Unfortunately in Malmesbury demand for affordable housing far, far outstrips the resources that we have.

"We are currently building more affordable housing at Bushton and looking at Malmesbury sites, and we usually reserve at least a portion of those sites for people who have a tangible local connection.

"Westlea has less than ten one-bedroomed flats in Malmesbury and demand is such that unfortunately properties do not become available often."

Mr Taylor added: "In the longer term, we are of course aware of the difficulties caused by a lack of affordable housing in our region and Westlea will continue to strive to find ways of expanding our provision of new homes and services for local communities."

Miss Forward's late parents were both born and bred in Malmesbury and her father Dave was a renowned painter of local scenes.

She herself worked in a number of jobs in town, including at the post office, before taking up her studies in London.

She first became interested in archaeology through studying the subject for an A level at evening classes.

"I just found it really interesting, and that is when I decided to go back to university," said Miss Forward.

"At first I though I would study part-time, but then I got the funding and so I went off to London to do the full-time degree."