IT'S never too late to fall in love - as Sam Marchington and Helen Barker have proved.

The couple have tied the knot after meeting during a dance at a day care centre.

Sam, who is a compere at Whitworth Football and Cricket Club in Rochdale, popped the question on stage at the club's New Year's Eve party.

He said: "I suppose you could say that proposing on stage was a brave thing to do.

"But I had a good feeling that Helen would say `yes'.

"I was on stage waiting for midnight and I just said to her, `will you marry me?'

Propose

"Someone in the audience told me to get down on one knee and propose properly, so I did and it was a wonderful moment.

"Helen was very shocked and overwhelmed, but she was thrilled and immediately accepted." Sam and Helen, who declined to reveal their ages, have both been married before.

They met at Whitworth Day Care Centre and married at Hallfold United Reformed Church, Whitworth.

Helen arrived at the church in a chauffeur-driven Bentley.

She said: "It's a dream come true. After my husband died nine years ago, I never expected to find someone else. But Sam means the world to me and we are very happy together."

Sharon Hughes, a manager at the day care centre, said: "Sam and Helen are a lovely couple and they're well suited.

" It just shows that you're never too old for romance.

"Everyone at the day care centre would like to wish them all the best for their future.

"We hope they'll be very happy together," she said.

The couple enjoy spending time with their families, including Sam's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and Helen's grandsons.

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