A YORK charity has stepped in to help "terrified" houseboat owner John Hunt, after a court gave him three weeks to leave his River Ouse home.

Mr Hunt, 59, contacted Age Concern to ask for help in finding an alternative mooring for his boat, Waterlily, after Judge Paul Hunt, sitting at York County Court, issued City of York Council with a possession order on the St George's Field site.

Mr Hunt, a postman, currently on sick leave, was given temporary permission to moor his 57ft 50-ton vessel Waterlily, near Skeldergate Bridge, in July 1998. He has since received a number of notices asking him to vacate the site.

Now, Age Concern's deputy chief officer in York, James Player, is appealing for anyone who has a private mooring or advice to offer, and could help Mr Hunt, to come forward.

Mr Player said: "Mr Hunt's case has given us great cause for concern.

"We're looking into alternative moorings for him, but it's not easy as there are few residential moorings in the York area.

Mr Hunt is desperately hoping to get back to work, and is looking for somewhere within cycling distance from the sorting office in Leeman Road. He's clearly under a great deal of stress and pressure.

"For Mr Hunt, it's not like people who have holiday homes that come and go. It's his home and he's spent a lot of money on it."

A City of York Council spokesperson, said: "We are concerned about Mr Hunt's own safety because the position of the boat represents a health and safety issue because of it's proximity to a Yorkshire Water sewage outlet. Additional concerns have also been expressed about the safety of the site by the Environment Agency, because the boat is too close to Skeldergate bridge.

"It is the responsibility of the boatowner to make arrangements for the mooring of their boat and unfortunately City of York Council does not own any land fronting the river which would be suitable for such a mooring."

Anyone who could help should contact James Player on 01904 621020.

Updated: 14:02 Friday, June 13, 2003