HOTEL staff teams in York have called in the professionals to help them get fit, ready to face an unprecedented “staycation” season this month.

Staff at the Royal York Hotel on Station Road teamed up with fitness professional Mark Harris to increase their stamina to cope with huge increases in guests wanting to make the most of the British summer by “UKationing” this year.

After an early summer of uncertainty with volcanic ash clouds, Greek unrest and the expense of the Euro, visitors to York are expected to soar.

Hotel manager Tony Furlong summoned his troops and called in the professionals to help them get fit – and have fun. He said: “When offering inspirational breaks the team needs to be inspired themselves.

If we have a good team spirit this reflects well when we deal with our corporate and leisure guests.

“It was great to get together and take time out of what is a very busy schedule and I’m sure the whole team has been enthused by taking professional fitness orders!”

Professional fitness expert Mark Harris, responsible for putting the staff through their paces, said the team needed to be at peak fitness to give the best performance possible, so they worked on their overall stamina and teamwork.