The Christmas present to beat all Christmas presents is certainly the talking point of York residents.

William Whiteley, of Bright Street, off Leeman Road, York: It's never worth that much

Admittedly, it's slightly more imaginative than a pair of socks, but nonetheless the festive gesture has, in some cases, come under fire from Evening Press readers, who have inundated the paper with their views on this unusual gift.

We've had letters and phone calls - and one woman even called the Press on behalf of her entire office, to speak out about Nigel Kissack's present for his wife, Kathryn.

Residents living in the Leeman Road area of York, where you could expect to buy ten houses for the price of the Kissacks' three-storey Georgian property, said it had been the talk of the area.

William and Hilda Whiteley, who have lived in Bright Street for 35 years, said the house would not guarantee "community spirit".

"The first thing I said to my wife when I read the paper was 'It's never worth that much'," said 64-year-old William. "I would never spend that much, no way."

Hilda, 63, added: "I love living in such a tight community because everyone looks out for each other, shops for the elderly and cooks meals. If anything this house is too big for us."

Similarly, James Goodwin, 78, who has lived in the street with his wife, Ina, 75, for 51 years, said: "To be honest it's the simple things that make you happy - you don't need to spend that much money on a Christmas present. It takes it out of context."

However, there were some people who supported Mr Kissack, a partner with leading law firm Pincent Curtis, whose team of staff worked on Christmas Eve to make sure the deal went through in time for the big day.

Lynn Jackson, 32, who has lived in Bright Street with her husband Michael and their two children for 11 years, said: "It's his money and he can do what he likes with it. I wish my husband would buy a house like that for me.

"I can't see anything wrong with it and people shouldn't be so jealous."

Neighbour Stuart Croysdele, 25, who has lived in the street for two years, said: "Good on him. If that's what he wants to spend his money on - what's the problem?"

Today Mr Kissack said: "We had been busy looking for a home in the city since before our arrival without luck. When the opportunity to buy a family property so near the city arose we were eager to conclude the purchase quickly and, if possible, before Christmas.

"My wife and children were fully involved in the decision to buy and it was only the timing of exchange of contracts that made it a 'Christmas present' - for us all.

"The price paid for the property is simply reflective of the prices expected by sellers of such properties in York."

Unfortunately, some readers misinterpreted our editorial comment on Tuesday regarding the house bought by Mr Kissack.

We do not condemn normal gifts. In fact, the editor was among women everywhere who were delighted to receive chocolates from their husbands on Christmas Day.

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