Romance can be found in Chester

Chester bills itself as the country's 'most romantic' city

The flames of passion have been set alight in the city of Chester.

A "Festival of Romance", now in its second year, will comprise about 200 events, including speed dating and supermarket singles nights.

The 10-day event, funded by Chester City Council, will conclude on Valentine's Day.

Festival organisers claim the city is the country's most "romantic venue", rivalling Paris and Venice as a destination for romance.

Last year's "love-in" involved more than 246 events and an estimated 9,000 people took part in events including a lover's leap for charity, a candlelit cuddle-up concert and a supermarket singles night.

Chester is also renowned for being the "happiest" northern city to live in, according to researchers at the University of Essex.