By Mark Donaghy HOLY Land stabbing victim George Worrall is back home.

But Mr Worrall - stabbed twice by muggers in Jerusalem - has told The Journal he wants to go back to the Holy Land to finish off his pilgrimage.

Mr Worrall is recovering at his home in Wenlock Road, Leigh, after the attack which left him with two wounds - one punctured his lung and the other narrowly missed his heart.

He had been walking down a road 100 yards from his hotel one evening with his wife, Veronica, and three other members of their party when two muggers tried to snatch a bum-bag from the waist of Joan Ganley, a friend from Chestnut Drive, Leigh.

Mr Worrall, who is expected to make a full recovery from the injuries, said: "We just want everyone to know we are back and everything is all right. We are pleased to be back and thank everyone for their cards and prayers."

The Leigh couple have been told by police that the two muggers and a third accomplice who drove them away with the stolen bag in a get-away car, have been arrested and are awaiting trial.

Mr Worrall, talking about the attack which happened on Wednesday, May 10, just two days into their holiday, said: "It all happened so quickly. I didn't think it was a robbery because they never asked for anything. I saw one of them grab at Mrs Ganley and tried to push him off. We then started hitting each other and then I saw he had a knife."

The retired technical manager and consultant spent three weeks at the city's Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and then two weeks nearby in the convent of Notre Dame de Sion. Doctors finally gave him permission to return home last week and they flew back to Manchester Airport last Thursday.

Despite a disastrous first trip to Jerusalem, the couple have not been put off returning.

Mr Worrall said: "This could happen anywhere in the world and we were told it was the first incident of mugging with violence on a tourist in Jerusalem. The people were very friendly and kept apologising. We hope to return sometime and start from where we left off."

Mr and Mrs Worrall also wanted to thank Mancunian Travel, Mrs Ganley, who stayed in Jerusalem with the couple and the British Consulate for their support.