BLACKPOOL'S womble is free again after being released early from prison.

But pensioner Dennis Bostock, who filled his house with objects other people threw out as rubbish, says he would rather be back behind bars after losing his home.

"I asked them to let me stay in prison, I was okay there" said Mr Bostock this week: "But they wouldn't let me -- they said you can't serve your full three months, you have to leave at half time."

Blackpool Council has confirmed that Mr Bostock rejected a final offer to have his home returned if he paid the £12,000 the council had billed him for cleaning up the property in the past. Instead he has told them to go ahead with selling the home.

A council spokesman said: "We would advise Mr Bostock to go to Housing Advice at South King Street and seek advice regarding accommodation. Each case is judged individually by a housing adviser."

But Mr Bostock says he doesn't want his home back, especially after his possessions, including his last remaining pictures of his parents, had been removed.