NOW take back water, trains and the Royal Mail, campaigners said yesterday as the government reversed the privatisation of military homes.

Defence Secretary John Healey announced that the homes, sold off by the Major government in 1996, would be bought back by the public sector after a series of scandals about their dilapidation and disrepair.

More than 36,000 homes are to be bought back at a cost to the taxpayers of nearly £6 billion, but will save the Ministry of Defence (MoD) £230 million in annual rent.