YORK couple Ron and Aleathea Crosby are today back at home and looking forward to a family Christmas after being put back on their feet by a stay at a "Five Star Hotel" - otherwise known as St Leonard's Hospice.

The Crosbys, from Burton Stone Lane, are only the third couple to have been in the hospice at the same time in its 15 years of caring for local people.

York-born and bred and a former Rowntree worker, Ron, 80, went into the hospice three weeks ago for a rest, then a week later his Mansfield-born wife, who is known as Al and is 81, also went to St Leonard's because she, too, needed building up.

She was only expecting to stay a week, but said: "I needed that extra week to get back on my feet. I seem to have got my appetite back."

That's happened in good time, for the couple are spending Christmas Day with their son, Philip, Boxing Day with their son, Peter, and their eldest son, Ronald, is arriving on Wednesday to complete the family gathering. "We're ready for a lot of festivity," said Ron. "Not too many drinks, mind you."

Though they're happy to be going home for Christmas they have nothing but praise for the hospice.

"They have looked after us very well. The doctors have been wonderful," said Al

"If you want to talk to the nurses any time you can talk to them any time. They're good counsellors," added Ron.

Thinking of the New Year, Ron said he intended "just to look ahead".

"You can't make plans but you look ahead, keep going as much as you can," he added.

Hospice senior nurse Kate Hodge said over half of their patients went home after their stay.

The Crosbys agreed with her that many people didn't understand the way the hospice worked.

"We've had a few laughs, and no tears," said Al.