Nervous proposal for 91-year-old

Mary Jones and Dan Thomas are to wed in Carlisle

A 91-year-old man said he was as nervous as any young lover when he proposed to his 78-year-old fiancee.

Dan Thomas and Mary Jones, from Carlisle, became friends after both losing partners and are to wed in the city in a few weeks.

Mr Thomas said he popped the question after the pair realised they would miss each other following a recent holiday.

They said they had a unique bond after helping each other overcome the loss of their respective partners.

Mr Thomas, a former RAF officer, said: "We had been on a holiday and come back and she said she was going to miss me this time when I went home.

There's nothing we had when we were young that we are missing now Mary Jones

"I just said 'why don't you marry me' because by then I had fallen in love."

The couple insist it is never too late to find love.

Mr Thomas added: "Love is still there and I am very fortunate at my age to be able to say that and feel that."

Mrs Jones said: "There's nothing we had when we were young that we are missing now.

"And some people can't believe that at our age we love each other so much in every way. It's wonderful."

The couple plan to have a low-key ceremony at Carlisle Register Office next month.

They have not yet decided on a honeymoon destination.