IT'S hardly the lap of luxury, but one man has made an extraordinary home for himself - in an isolated car park.

Peter Frost has been sleeping in his Ford Escort at the Forestry Commission car park for the past 18 months.

Mr Frost, 54, who is originally from Cornwall, chose the extreme lifestyle in a desperate bid to get a job in the region.

The road tax expired on his car over a year ago, and he has also run out of petrol, meaning he cannot travel to York to get benefit payments.

But Mr Frost, whose last job was building roads in Nepal, has not been idle while living in the car in the Newgate Bank car park on the B1257 near Helmsley.

Instead, he has prevented youths from vandalising public toilets.

"I've developed a relationship with him and he has been very helpful to us," said Helmsley beat officer PC Ray Thwaites.

"He has provided an extra pair of eyes and ears with some car crime cases."

Mr Frost, who became homeless in 2001 and has also worked as a construction supervisor, said: "I am not a criminal and I don't drink. I would like any job - I just can't seem to get one."

He said he hoped he would be able to get away from the car park by the end of the winter and added he had been helped by the Forestry Commission and the police.

He had been applying for jobs, including recently for a position as a pig farmer, but was told he was too qualified. He is also looking for work overseas.

Andrew Smith, the Forestry Commission's district manager for the North York Moors, said: "We are concerned for the individual's welfare.

"Technically, the individual should not be in residence in the car park and we are working with the police and other authorities to try and resolve the situation in an amicable and compassionate way."

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, March 03, 2004