Love on the tracks

Midland Mainline says it enhances working relationships

A train company, which runs services between Yorkshire and London, is claiming it is Britain's most romantic place to work.

Of the 900 employees at Midland Mainline, 80 people are either married or in a long term relationship with a colleague.

Jes Wilding, 41, from Sheffield, has been married to his wife Natasha, 34, for three years.

They met while he was a chef on the London to Sheffield service.

'Increase motivation'

Natasha, who looks after staff on the express routes, said: "It definitely wasn't love at first sight.

"I hated him at first. He is like all chefs, bossy and thought he was always right.

"It was certainly the railways that brought us together."

Phil Mason, personnel manager at Midland Mainline, said: "Some companies have old fashioned views and disapprove of romance at work but we found it often enhances working relationships.

"We have actually found that it can increase staff motivation and bring a sense of healthy competition in to the workplace."