One of the victims of the York "bed blocking" crisis has had the best possible present - he'll be out of hospital for Christmas.

Eric "Jack" Walker has been on the stroke rehabilitation ward at York District Hospital for over five months, though he was fit to leave in early September.

But the crisis over social services funding for nursing home beds has left the 77-year-old stuck in hospital, where he became convinced no one wanted him.

He was featured in the Evening Press last month as the human face of bed blocking as part of our Care in Crisis campaign, when his daughter Jackie Meek said she feared he was giving up on life.

Now City of York Council has agreed on a move which will allow him to go to the nursing home his family always wanted for him - Laurens Manor in Hull Road, the area in which Mr Walker has spent his whole life.

Today his son-in-law, Fred Meek, said: "Jack is as high as a kite."

He added he and Jackie were "elated and relieved" by what he saw as a compromise solution.

"I feel as though it's the end of a long campaign," he added. "It's such a weight lifted."

Mr Meek added he had no criticism of individuals, but said: "I'm still angry with the council."

He said he would be prepared to campaign for others in Mr Walker's situation, and praised the Evening Press for its coverage of Mr Walker's plight.

"It's great we have got a result for Jack, but there are many, many others in the same position."

Bill Hodson, assistant director of community services for the council, said: "Although the council has still got long term problems we have moved 32 people out of hospital during November and December using £189,000 we got from the NHS, and a few more people will move between Christmas and the New Year."

He added in this case there had been no contact for a month between social services and Mr Walker's family until a few days ago.

"Once we were in contact we found a way to resolve the issue.

"I'm delighted that Mr Walker is able to move out of hospital to the home of his choice before Christmas."

But he said there would be no easy solution to the bed blocking problem, adding though they would have moved 35 people by the New Year the council would not have funds to pick up the care bills for any more people to move in the same way.

There was extra NHS money available, though it was not yet clear exactly how it would be used.

andrew.hitchon@ycp.co.uk