A PANTOMIME date involving knitted bananas was the first step towards a romance late in life for a former Thirsk Mayor and parish council clerk.

David Loveden, 79, who served as Mayor in 1990 and 1991, sadly lost his wife of 54-years, Monica, to cancer in 2011.

During his wife’s illness, Mr Loveden had bought two Richmond panto tickets for them to enjoy but Monica passed away before the event.

Mr Loveden invited along their long-time friend and neighbour Elaine Coulson and further dates ensued, culminating in a romantic proposal from Mr Loveden on board a boat in Plymouth on August 3 last year.

Now the pair are set to wed at St Mary’s Church in Thirsk on April 19.

Mr Loveden said he remembered their first outing to the pantomime as being Robinson Crusoe because Ms Coulson had helped knit bananas to be thrown onstage by monkeys during the performance.

He said Ms Coulson, 69, took him out for dinner some time later, he returned the date by making her a home-cooked meal and romance began to blossom.

Last year the former RAF Warrant Officer began planning his engagement, and took his fiancé-to-be down to Plymouth in August to enjoy a boat trip where he popped the question via the boat’s captain.

He said: “I had already arranged it with the captain that he would stop when I wanted to do it.

“So the captain stopped the boat and read out the note I gave him, saying he had an announcement for a passenger asking for Elaine to become my wife.

“By that time I was on my knees and everybody was gathered around.

“Elaine burst into tears and said, yes, yes, yes!

“For someone not long off 80 I am still quite romantic,” added Mr Loveden.

Ms Coulson, who worked periods as a parish clerk for Thirsk town council and Sandhutton and Carlton Miniott parish councils, admitted that her growing feelings for Mr Loveden took her by surprise.

She said his proposal was “a complete shock” but she was now eagerly looking forward to their wedding.

“I’m feeling a bit of everything I think,” she said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everybody there but I would not be being truthful if I said I wasn’t a little bit nervous.”

After the church ceremony, the couple will hold a reception at Solberge Hall near Northallerton.

The couple will continue to live apart after their nuptials, with both enjoying their independence, and knowing the other is only 300 yards along the same street in Thirsk.