A teenager who left his family home after a row is living rough in a tent near the County Ground.

Since 19-year-old Vinny Heatlie left home last August, he has lived at his grandfather's house and at a friends. But now he is sleeping rough.

He was last seen with his friend, Dave Durston, 18, living in a tent pitched near the cricket pavilion on the recreation area behind the County Ground, home to Swindon Town football club.

Living on barbecued food and using public toilets, they said it was the first time either of them had slept rough.

Vinny, who left the family home in Thorney Park, Wroughton, after a row with his parents and has not spoken to his father or stepmother since, said: "They don't know where I am and I don't want them to."

Currently unemployed, Vinny attended Wootton Bassett Secondary School and went on to do a BTEC in mechanics at Swindon College.

He said: "I really want to get a job as mechanic and then get somewhere to live in town.

"But we're not causing any trouble, we clean up after ourselves and we're keeping out of the way."

Vinny's father, John Forster-Heatlie, 51, said his son can make his own way in life.

He said: "I'm not bothered anymore because I have totally given up on him. What he needs is a rude awakening as do 90 per cent of the children in this town.

"Vinny cancelled an interview at the job centre because it was at 10am and he couldn't be bothered to get out of bed that's what I was up against."

Vinny's friend Dave, who is originally from Cornwall, moved out of his own family home two years ago, aged 16. He did not enjoy school and came to Swindon hoping to find work.

He said: "I love my parents, but I don't get on with them when we're living in the same house."

He now works the nightshift as a temporary worker in a warehouse, where he earns £6.25 per hour.

The pair have already had to move their tent once Vinny claims he was the victim of an attack.

But despite the apparent lack of safety, both boys said that they enjoyed the freedom of sleeping under canvas and did not miss any luxuries.