THE York family of Russell Crowe's bride-to-be revealed today how excited they were to be going to the wedding.

Peter and Anne Horsfall, of Nether Poppleton, will rub shoulders with some of the world's hottest stars at the ceremony in Australia on April 7.

Peter and Anne, whose granddaughters, Anna and Alex, from Leeds, will be bridesmaids, are the uncle and aunt of Russell's fiance, Danielle Spencer.

The generous Gladiator star, who has turned down £1 million offers from magazines to cover the wedding, is flying the family out to his ranch, Nana Glen, in Coffs Harbour, north of Sydney.

The Evening Press exclusively revealed that Russell recently chartered a helicopter from Paris to Rufforth Airfield with Danielle for a two-hour chat with her grandparents, Peter and Nell Horsfall, at their home in Nether Poppleton.

The pensioners, who are Peter's parents, did not feel up to the journey despite being offered first-class flights by the star and a nurse to be on hand.

Peter senior, 79, said: "We're devastated, but most of the of the family are going over. It will be one hell of a party, that's for sure.

"It was a lovely, kind gesture. He gets a lot of bad press, but when you think he went to all that expense and trouble to see Nell and me just for two hours, it's just lovely. He's a good, normal chap with a heart of gold."

Peter (junior), 60, and Anne will stay at the ranch for four days, where they are likely to meet stars such as Sting and Heath Ledger. "He is a really normal bloke who loves his sport," he said.

"We talked about cricket most of the time when he came to visit. My granddaughters are really excited about being bridesmaids. It's a wonderful gesture."

Peter's granddaughters met the Oscar-winning star during his visit to the village.

Updated: 12:29 Saturday, March 22, 2003