Anthony Carroll A HOLIDAYING pensioner who came to Great Yarmouth for the fishing ended up falling hook line and sinker in love for the first time.Now Ron Hopkins, 65, from Birmingham, is planning a seaside wedding to Anne Jeffries, 55, who is equally hooked.

Anthony Carroll

A HOLIDAYING pensioner who came to Great Yarmouth for the fishing ended up falling hook line and sinker in love for the first time.

Now Ron Hopkins, 65, from Birmingham, is planning a seaside wedding to Anne Jeffries, 55, who is equally hooked.

For the former warehouseman proposed to her just a week after their eyes met over dinner at the Winchester Private Hotel they were staying at separately.

Mr Hopkins is soon to be moving into Mrs Jeffries' Ipswich home.

A delighted Mr Hopkins, who has never had a girlfriend, said: “I was just sitting down for a meal and I saw Anne and I thought she looks a lovely lady. I asked her how she was and things just went on from there.

“I just came here for a week's holiday and never thought I would have found the love of my life. I feel totally marvellous. I am more happy than I have ever been in my entire life.”

Describing how he proposed Mr Hopkins said: “I said 'Do you love me?'. She replied 'Yes'. I said 'Do you trust me?' She said 'Yes' and then I said 'In that case will you marry me?' She said 'Yes'.”

The couple plan to marry in Gorleston register office at Ferryside next June and to hold their wedding reception at the seaside Furzedown Hotel.

Mrs Jeffries, a former school caretaker who has been married twice and was widowed earlier in the year, still had a big smile on her face as she talked about her new-found love and showed off her sapphire diamond engagement ring.

She said: “He is a total gentleman. He won't let me carry any bags and he cares for me so much. What more could a woman want? He is just Mr Wonderful.”

The staff at the Winchester in Euston Road were shocked and delighted in equal measures when Mr Hopkins and Mrs Jeffries told them they were engaged.