Julie and Darren Crosby have a grouse with a York pub after a stuffed pheasant dive-bombed their romantic night out.

The Crosbys, from Strensall, went out to celebrate Julie's 38th birthday, but instead of ending up either side of a restaurant table for two, they rounded off the evening in the casualty department at York District Hospital.

Their evening began with a quiet drink at the Snickleway Inn in Goodramgate.

"We were sitting in the pub admiring the brasses and were just ready to drink up and go, when all of a sudden I just saw stars and felt something on the side of my head," said Julie.

"A stuffed pheasant on a stand had fallen from a great height.

"My husband felt the brunt of it and his head was pouring with blood and the next minute we were in an ambulance on the way to casualty."

Darren, whose head was badly cut, had to have the wound "glued" back together and the couple were home by 10pm for a late-night snack of cheese on toast.

Pub landlady Diane Cartin, said: "The pheasant had been on that shelf for at least four years and I've no idea why it came down.

"One of the bar staff went to help the gentleman immediately and we called an ambulance.

"It was an unfortunate accident and we apologised. We are still sorry about it.''

She said the pheasant had since been relegated to the inside of a cupboard.

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