It could have been the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Second World War veteran Tony Cater struck up a conversation with a woman on the front seat of the bus and soon found himself falling for her charm.

But when she got off the Brighton to Shoreham coastal service he did not have the nerve to ask for her number - and has been kicking himself ever since.

Love-struck Mr Cater has been trying to track down the mystery woman following their brief encounter on Stagecoach's number 700 on Friday, April 13 at 3.25pm but so far has had no luck.

Now the old romantic has issued an appeal for the lady who stole his heart to meet him again.

Mr Cater, of Kingston Lane, Shoreham, said: "I was travelling on a bus from Churchill Square to Shoreham. A lady came and sat on the same seat and she started to speak to me. I answered first of all in monosyllables, then I took myself to task and I said, here is somebody you old devil - you are always saying you are lonely - I decided to speak back.

"In that 20 minutes I felt she was a very sweet and lovely lady. I noticed her hairstyle was very neat and tidy, she was dressed nicely and without being posh she spoke very nicely. Quite honestly, my heart went out to her.

"She got off the bus and she passed the window. I looked out at the same time and she blew me a kiss. I blew one back, then I said, what have you done? You have let her go without letting her know your telephone number.

"I came back to my flat and told my sister. I said, I feel very likely it could be a last romance in my life. She said, you are a fool. You have missed the bus."

After that, Mr Cater tried to find the woman by placing a classified advert in The Argus but has so far not heard from her.

The retired hotelier, who served in Africa during the Second World War, asked The Argus not to mention his age for fear the woman might think he was past his prime.

He was widowed two years ago and had been with his wife Jeanne for 34 years after meeting her in his 40s.

The couple had run hotels in Kenya, Rhodesia and the UK. He has been through a tough two years since her death, during which he was in hospital after breaking his leg, but has now recovered and is feeling fit and well.

The woman he met on the bus told him she had also been widowed after "40-odd happy years".

He said: "She was sympathetic with me. She seemed so sweet.

"I don't want to miss any chance I might have to meet her again."

Helen Martin, regional marketing manager for Stagecoach, was not surprised at the romantic meeting. She said: "We have had people meet at bus stops before and want to have mementoes because they have got married. We think it is really nice that as well as people being able to travel around, they have the opportunity to meet each other."

The woman was of slim build, about 5ft 5ins tall, with fair hair, with bob-like hair and in her 60s.

Are you this woman? Call Rachel Pegg on 01273 544533.

Have you found love on a bus, train, aeroplane or in any other unusual situation? Leave your comments below.