A TOURIST who suffered a heart attack after a day at the races has thanked the people of York for restoring his faith in human kindness.

Frank Townson, 58, collapsed in the Wheatlands Lodge Hotel, in Scarcroft Road, hours after enjoying the October race meeting.

Staff called an ambulance and Mr Towson was taken to York Hospital, where he spent five days in the coronary care unit.

His wife, Elsie, 56, stayed on at the hotel to visit her husband, but when she tried to settle her bill was told it had been waived.

Mr Townson, of Liverpool, said he was "gobsmacked" by the kindness of York residents.

"I couldn't be more grateful. The people in the coronary care unit treated me as though I was Tony Blair," he said. "I cried when I was leaving.

"The staff at York Hospital were exceptional. I was treated with care and professionalism by everyone involved. I had little faith in hospitals before this point but the staff there delivered a first class service."

Mr Townson, who is now recovering at home, said he had been equally as touched by the generosity of the Wheatlands Lodge Hotel towards his wife.

He said: "I would like to thank everyone involved from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness and gratitude is a credit to you."

Mrs Townson said: "I couldn't believe it because I knew they'd had no vacancies and they'd already been so helpful by saying I could stay those extra days."

"My husband's a lot better now, although he had a fright coming home because I drove the car."

Hotel manager Neil Townshend said: "We thought it might make the situation a bit easier for Mrs Townson if we waived her bill."

A spokeswoman for York Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It is really good to hear praise for our hard-working staff."

Updated: 09:20 Friday, October 29, 2004