THE St Leonard's Hospice 2000 Appeal has had another enormous boost thanks to a grant awarded by the Yorkshire Arts Board.

Over the next few months, arts, crafts and music will feature high on the agenda for residents and out-patients at the hospice. It's all down to a £9,000 award, part of the national Year Of The Artist scheme.

It enables the hospice to appoint artists-in-residence - an artist and two musicians - to work with patients, families and staff for six months to fulfil the scheme's aim of "connecting with the artist in everyone."

With the help of local artist, Adi French, out-patient Gordon Durham has taken this creativity on board.

He has created his own flock of sheep from concrete and chicken wire.

Adi, who works with mixed media materials, spends two afternoons a week at the hospice.

"I bring in all sorts of materials to help people express themselves and their individuality," she said. "I believe we all have that spark of creativity.

"As young children, most of us have enjoyed drawing and painting without the worry of getting it right or what people think of it. It is this pleasure and enthusiasm in the making of art that I want people to experience."

Musicians will also perform a wide range of music to groups of patients and families.

Lu Mason, occupational therapist at the hospice, said: "The presence of our artists-in-residence throughout the hospice is bringing an extra and very positive dimension to patients, visitors, families and staff."

Father Christmas will be dropping into St Leonard's Hospice to give staff a hand with their Christmas Fair.

Fundraisers Helen Moreton, Judith Metcalfe and Mary Donohoe will be joined by their special helper as they make sure that all the stalls and attractions are in place for the fair, which takes place tomorrow at the hospice on Tadcaster Road.

Hospice Christmas cards and calendars will be on sale along with the famous hospice linens. Visitors will be able to try their luck on the tombola and stalls will offer books, crafts and bric-a-brac, as well as cakes and provisions.

There will also be an opportunity to relax in the caf.

Father Christmas said: "I'll certainly be around to greet young and old at the hospice on the day and I hope everyone will come along and say hello."

The fair runs from 11am to 3pm.