Stroke victim Jack Stenton was today enjoying the best possible 88th birthday present - a room at a nursing home.

Jack Stenton celebrates today at Birchlands Nursing Home

The pensioner had been stuck in hospital even though he was fit for discharge, because City of York Council could not fund a place in a nursing home.

But last night, after funding became available, he was taken by ambulance from York District Hospital to Birchlands Nursing Home in Moor Lane, Haxby.

He told today of his joy at the move: "It's the best birthday present I could have had. It's a lovely place with a good atmosphere."

He said that a man had come from the council to him in hospital and said to him: "What would you like the most?"

Mr Stenton said he had replied: "To be free from here."

"He said 'You've got a place'. I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't speak for a bit. I was full of tears."

Mr Stenton thanked everyone for their support, especially the Evening Press for raising his case.

"The Press has worked so hard. I can't thank them enough," he said.

The council says that funding became available this week for five hospital patients to go into nursing homes.

The funding situation will be reviewed again next Monday.

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