The vicar of Ruan Minor is calling for compassion over a homeless man living within the parish church after concerns were raised over his close proximity to children in the village.

Rev Deirdre Mackrill said the Ukranian man, who she estimated to be in his thirties, was a "very frightened, vulnerable young man," whose spoken English was not good although he was clearly educated as he could write well.

She and church members gave him sanctuary within St Ruan Church after chairs he had been sleeping on within the bus shelter were removed and the public toilets were closed, she claimed.

However, some residents are concerned over why he is in the village and particularly his close proximity to the primary school.

Gary Pollard, a former parish councillor, said: "My concern as a parent, along with a lot more parents in the village, is the bloke was sleeping opposite the school, which had 70 kids in it. Now he's living in the church and the kids are taken into the church every Friday.

"We're not saying he's done anything wrong. We're just concerned there's a man in our community and we don't know his name or his intentions.

"No one is trying to drive him out the village, it's that he's a concern for parents and quite rightly so.

"We're just not used to having that type of person in Ruan."

He said he had spoken to the man, who had come from London, and told him: "I'm just letting you know that I am one of the many parents that is concerned about your presence.

"We don't who you are, where you have come from and what you're here for. You're on parish land and therefore it makes it our business."

Mr Pollard said that police had described the man to him as an "overstayer," which is a person who remains in a country after their permitted visit has expired, and that it was an immigration issue.

Other residents, however, are rallying behind the man by bringing him food and blankets.

Rev Deirdre said: "Several members, not just of the church but also the Ruan Minor community, are really concerned.

"They have shown great care and compassion for him.

"Being in a small community, when a stranger comes in that person is more visible than in a larger setting.

"Some people have said, 'Go back to where you came from'. I'm sorry but that's not the Christian ethos.

"He's not a threat; he's scared, he's sad and he needs care and compassion."

Speaking about the situation, Grade Ruan School headteacher Louise Jones told the Packet: "Our safeguarding procedures are the same for anybody. We have robust policies and we'll adhere to those policies."

She added: "We're a church school and one of our values is to have compassion."

The parish council has referred the matter to Cornwall Council's community network manager for the area, Maxine Hardy, who has supported the council in completing a form to send to StreetLink, which assesses situations of rough sleepers and helps connect them with local support services.

The Packet has also contacted the Helston police team for a comment.