THE Lord Mayor Ian Gillies has made his traditional Christmas Day visit to York Hospital, along with the Lady Mayoress Pat Gillies, Sheriff John Kenny and Sheriff's Lady. Jill Kenny.

The civic party popped into the chidren's ward and met nine week old Harley Cross and parents Paul Cross and Chloe Robinson, from Acomb.

Born prematurely, Harley spent seven weeks in the special care baby unit and made it home for three weeks, but came down with bronchitis and had to be readmitted to hospital.

Paul said: "Harley won't remember this Christmas, but we certainly will."

The Marshall family from Wigginton also spent Christmas morning in hospital, after 10 year old Ellis came down with appendicitis late on Christmas Eve, but doctors were hoping to send him home in time for Christmas lunch.

The Lord Mayor said: "It's a delight to be able to support the district hospital and its staff and patients at this time of year."