A pensioner found it is never to late to find love when her 81-year-old suitor proposed to her.

Widow Gwen Newnham, 73, of Freshbrook Court retirement home, in Freshbrook Road, Lancing, is planning to tie the knot again after Ted Yallop asked if he could marry her.

The home's manager, who asked not to be named, said: "It's been on the cards for a fortnight and they went off yesterday and bought the ring.

"I have never seen such a change in two people. They are walking around with smiles on their faces and Gwen was walking around yesterday singing 'I'm so happy'.

"He courted her with oranges. She would give him part of her Sunday newspaper and in return he would come and deliver little bags of oranges to her.

"They are very much a couple. They sit next to each other at afternoon tea and she calls him 'dear'. It's lovely.

"He says he'll look after her and she'll want for nothing."

The couple are said to be undecided on the finer details of their wedding plans and have not set a date.

The manager said: "Everyone keeps saying they have got to do it soon but they keep saying don't rush us.

"But they do love each other. There's no doubt about that."