A former homeless man has got a job as a tree surgeon after support from a St Albans charity.

Danny Franken battled with drug and alcohol addiction for 20 years before spending three and a half years in a Christian rehabilitation centre, trying to get his life back on track.

Mr Franken then found out about Emmaus, a charity that provides work in a social enterprise and a home for formerly homeless people, and completed a course in tree surgery.

“I can’t thank Emmaus St Albans enough for the support and opportunities it has opened up for me,” he said.

“I was not only given a job and meaningful work, but I had access to training thanks to financial support from the Emmaus Companion Training Fund.”

Mr Franken worked at Emmaus St Albans for just over a year before taking a post at tree surgery firm Gristwood & Toms.

Emmaus St Albans support worker Hayley Price said: “Danny has shown a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication over the past year and should feel very proud of all that he has achieved.”

Emmaus St Albans supports 35 ‘companions’ in their centre, and the charity hope to have 1,000 companion places across the UK by 2020.