A PARISHIONER of a church has criticised the church's plans to evict homeless people from an area of land in owns.

Reece Gale, 19, of Harrow Road, Langley, accused the St Ethelberts RC Church, Wellington Street, Slough church of hypocrisy, following the church giving the homeless people five days to vacate the area.

Mr Gale said: "I think their response to this hasn't been very good at all. I expected them to show more compassion. The land is just waste land, it isn't being used for anything.

"The people there are nice people, too. I've spoken to them a few times. They never ask for money, they've never been rude, and they never set foot in the church either. They are just minding their own business. Once they're evicted, they'll just be back on the streets.

"They often preach about charity in there, but they aren't showing it themselves. We collect money to for charity every Sunday, but when there is a charity case on our doorstep, we just send them away. I can't see any good argument for getting rid of them. I know other people who feel the same way."

One of the homeless men, Nelu Subtirelu, speaking to the Observer said: "If we cannot stay in the property of God, where can we stay? Many of us are vulnerable, many of us have health problems."

Another man, who is living in the encampment with his wife, said: "We were made homeless because a slum landlord ran off with our deposit. We clean the place up as best we can, I've even asked the head priest if he had a brush we could use. We always use the toilets in the library. But he just treats us like ****."

The notice to vacate reads: "The Roman Catholic Northampton Diocese Trustee (the Church) has a duty to act with humanity towards you, even though you are a trespasser. It recognises that you may have welfare, health, housing, or educational needs.

"The Church cannot directly meet any of these needs, as it has no legal power to do so...primary responsibility for your needs rests with you, and you are strongly advised to contact the council if you have concerns they should know about."

The Diocese of Northampton, which manages St Ethelberts RC Church, said: "The Diocese of Northampton seek to uphold the dignity of each human being and as such every effort has been made to reach a suitable agreement with all those involved. As a result of this, due process has been followed and a notice has been served, whilst communications with the local borough council continue."