The plight of a homeless man living in a bus shelter on a busy main road has attracted national and international media interest.

The story of Gillingham rough sleeper Jim, who was once a high-flier in the City and taught royalty outdoor activities, has also prompted old friends and family to get in touch.

Some of them haven't seen him for 30 years and feared he was dead.

One mate, who grew up with Jim from school age, saying they were "inseparable", is keen to contact him.

But the 51-year-old, who has been camping out at his makeshift home on A2 Watling Street for more than a month, said while he was touched, he wanted to "sort his life out first".

He said: "Perhaps it will happen one day, but I need to get a proper roof over my head first. In the meantime I'm quite happy here, not being contacted and don't have a phone."

Jim's presence as a temporary resident in the Darland area of the town has captured the hearts of people living nearby, staff at The Star pub opposite and customers at the 24-hour garage.

He has been inundated with bedding, clothing warm drinks and food from well-wishers and has already had numerous offers of Christmas dinner. One resident said he was "a bit of local celebrity".

Close friend Dean Godwin, 51, responded after reading our article last week.

He wrote: "I was pleased and saddened at the same time. Jim used to be my best friend through school days and then during the first years working in the City together. We were as thick as thieves.

"In fact, teachers thought we were brothers.We used to go round each other's houses four or five times a week and when I was working as a trader, we used to meet up for lunch.

"His parents tried desperately to find out what had happened to him and I believe he was on the missing persons' register."

The Wainscott resident said members of Jim's family including his aunt and brother were also now delighted he was alive.

Since the story appeared, Jim has had several offers of accommodation from people who have called pub staff.

He said "I've been told I can go and sleep in somebody's van, but I don't want that and I don't want to go in a hostel. I need to find a place of my own."

Since hitting the headlines, Jim has been contacted by international news agency Reuters, the BBC, LBC and radio stations, all keen to hear about his lifestyle.

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