A HOME for veterans in Southampton has closed down two years after it opened.

Simon Weston house, named after the British hero who suffered horrific burns during the Falklands War, has shut down due to a lack of funding.

In March 2016, Hampshire comedian Jim Davidson and government minister Mike Penning joined to officially open the Care After Combat home, on Waterloo Road, which helped former service personnel who have been to prison. The charity, set up by Mr Davidson, of Stockbridge, was also set up to aid them with rehabilitation needs and avoid reoffending.

Now, after accusing Southampton City Council of being “absolutely no help”, Mr Davidson said the home would be closing as it didn’t have enough financial resource to remain open.

He also said that the charity couldn’t find enough veterans to fill all the spaces.

Mr Davidson said: “We just don’t have enough money, it’s a very simple issue really.

“It isn’t cheap to care for these people and what no-one seems to be able to do is write a cheque.

“Some people were very helpful, like Caroline Nokes, she always used to pop in and ask if there was anything she could do to help.

“The problem is, the council wouldn’t write a cheque. Southampton City Council were absolutely no help.”

When asked for a response to these claims, city councillor Dave Shields, cabinet member for health and community safety, didn’t address any of the reasons for the house closing, but instead said he welcomed initiatives which helped veterans.

Cllr Shields said of the House closing: “I welcome initiatives which help alleviate the problems experienced by our veterans, some of whom have experienced PTSD and have found themselves out on the streets in need of support.”

Caroline Hopper, armed forces covenant programme manager for Southampton, which the city council is part of, said she agreed that more needed to be done to support veterans.

She said: “We thank Care After Combat and the staff at Simon Weston House for the work they have done to support veterans within the local community.

“We agree that more needs to be done to support veterans to access the support that they require. We are currently working in partnership with local organisations to establish a dedicated multi-agency monthly drop-in for veterans and their families.

“It is our hope that this drop-in will provide a one-stop shop and complement existing support offered by the council’s housing service.”