A MAN who had his conviction for double murder overturned after spending 17 years in jail, is having to survive on just £52 a week.

Now, Peter Fell fears he will end up homeless after he was told he cannot claim housing benefit until he finds somewhere to live -- something he can't afford to do.

Former Great Harwood man Mr Fell says he has been told that the jobseeker's allowance is all he is entitled to claim at the moment and he has been left to rely on charity from friends and family.

But his chances of getting a job without training are slim after spending so long in jail.

Mr Fell, 39, was pronounced innocent at London's Court of Appeal at the beginning of March of the double murders of Ann Lee and Margaret Johnson in Aldershot in May, 1982.

A fortnight ago, judges gave their reason for quashing his conviction, saying Mr Fell had every right to be pronounced innocent by them.

He was originally released on bail in December pending the three day hearing, held earlier this month, which heard Mr Fell had confessed to the murders at a time when he was susceptible to pressure to the point where doctors has described him as a pathological confessor.

Mr Fell, who lived in Blake Water Children's Home, in Great Harwood and attended Norden High School, Rishton, before becoming a soldier, now lives with friends in South London as he tries to readjust to life outside prison in the 21st century.

He said: "The doctor says I am suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and is it any wonder?

"I have literally been dumped in the outside world, with only £52 a week to survive on.

"I am not eligible for any training until I have been signing on for more than six months and I do feel abandoned.

"I do not know how I would have coped had I not had the support of my friends.

"But the friend who put me up thought he would only be doing so for six week. Four months on, he is trying to sell his house and I really don't want to outstay my welcome."

Mr Fell's solicitors are currently making arrangements for compensation with an interim payment in the meantime -- but that could take up to two years.

Mr Fell added: "It would have been the easiest thing in the world to end up back in jail, because there was no support for me. If you are released pending an appeal, you receive no support.

"I could have ended up on a park bench."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope has already called for more support for prisoners caught in Mr Fell's position, describing it as a 'unacceptable loophole.'

Hampshire Police today said a review was being carried out of their investigations following the decision to overturn Mr Fell's convictions.

The result effectively means they have two murders unsolved. A spokesman said: "We expect the review to be finished shortly and we will make an announcement then."