Ref. 28173-04LEFT OUT IN THE COLD: Alistair Carr is looking forward to Christmas despite being homeless.

Before Alistair, 40, arrived at Culvery Court last week, he was sleeping rough in Swindon car parks.

He said: "Bed was a sleeping bag somewhere in the town centre. You get used to it. But I will be spending Christmas with my family in Northumberland."

Alistair is not a stereotypical homeless person. The father of four and former managing director has a degree in agriculture and masters in European food marketing.

Three years ago he commanded a salary of £43,000, could afford to eat out and indulge his passion for gardening.

Then the bakery he managed in Newcastle went bust and his life fell apart.

He said: "I was a shareholder in the company. The owners cleared off, leaving me to face the music. It made me penniless and I had to declare myself bankrupt."

The previous year he split up with his wife, who kept custody of their four children, Amelia, nine, Alexander, 13, Elizabeth, 16, and Joseph, 17.

Left with nothing, Alistair turned to alcohol and was soon hooked.

He said: "It became a crutch to get me through the day. I was depressed and became a binge drinker."

Alistair has not touched a drop of the hard stuff for two weeks no mean feat for someone who could get through six bottles of vodka on a weekend blow out.

He came to Swindon just over a year ago because his brother, a headmaster, had contacted agencies in the area to help him. But before being given a bed in Davis House, a Salvation Army hostel in Turl Street, his brother booked him into a bed and breakfast.

Alistair said: "I have never taken drugs before in my life. So when I saw people shooting up, it was a bit of an eye opener."

While living at Davis House, he met his fianc, Karen, 46, and started to get things together. Alistair also started having counselling with workers at the Swindon and Wiltshire Alcohol and Drug Service, based in Milton Road.

Being homeless has not stopped him helping the community. He registered with Swindon Volunteers and was soon gardening at Legge House, a youth centre, in Wroughton.

He said: "The grounds were in a terrible state and I worked on them all summer. I love gardening and have worked on an allotment since the age of nine."

The mayor Derek Benfield recognised Alistair's dedication last month, when he was among 28 adults to win a Swindon Youth Award.

Besides being an accomplished gardener, Alistair is also quite a linguist he speaks fluent French, can get by in Spanish and German and is currently learning Russian.

Alistair arrived at Culvery Court last Friday and is already applying for jobs and making plans to rent a flat with Karen.

He said: "For me this is a stop gap, but still very much a lifeline. You cannot turn up for an interview off the streets. We have showers here, clean sheets and two hot meals a day. You can live a normal life and plan your future."

Alistair receives £59 a week in state benefits. He pays £24 towards the £121-a-week it costs to stay in Culvery Court. The rest is claimed through housing benefit.

Over the Christmas period Alistair is allowed to spend a few days with his parents, Enid and Wilf, in Northumberland.

He said: "My dad has a heart problem, so it could be his last Christmas. I will see my children on Boxing Day. It should be a happy time and I think Santa is bringing me a fishing boat but only a model one."

Alistair cannot wait to tuck into turkey with all the trimmings, but he will steer clear of alcohol.

He said: "I cannot say I won't be tempted. I will be an alcoholic for the rest of my life, but have made a pact not to drink anymore. I am allergic to it and cannot drink in moderation. So for me it will be strictly fruit cocktails."