THE leader of City of York Council suffered a broken a nose and three fractured ribs when he fell in York city centre.

Cllr Ian Gillies, 72, tripped over close to Barclays Bank in Parliament Street after taking his grandchildren for breakfast on Saturday, June 30.

His daughter drove him to York Hospital for treatment.

Despite his injuries, Cllr Gillies has not missed a meeting since.

He said: “I tripped over my own feet really. I think I just missed a step. It’s just one of those things that happen.

“Thanks to the Yorkshire Regiment for their assistance. They were in Parliament Street at the time.

“Anyone that has had broken ribs will know how uncomfortable it can be. But people are a lot worse off than I am.

“I haven’t missed any meetings at all. It has been a bit of a struggle.”

Cllr Gillies has been advised by doctors to take a break, and says he will “slow down” next week and work from home.

He has been told the fractured ribs will take four to six weeks to heal.

He was also offered corrective surgery to his broken nose, but declined saying: “I decided to keep the rugged look.”

Cllr Gillies lives in Upper Poppleton and has been on the council for more than a decade. He was first elected in May 2007.

The Conservative councillor represents the Rural West York ward and is a former director of Visit York.

He was Lord Mayor in 2014-15.

Cllr Gillies took over as leader of City of York Council in March after David Carr resigned.