AN ARTS group for the elderly has produced a couple of real-life love birds, just in time for the romantic day of the year.

Pauline Fellows, 71, and Morris Hatfield, 79, both attend Staying Out at ARC in Stockton each Wednesday, a weekly arts-based drop-in session for people over 60 who are isolated, often widowed, or have been recently discharged from hospital.

They met around a year ago over the paintbrushes and craft making activities at ARC and recently announced their couple status at the group’s Christmas party.

Every week since then Ms Fellows, from Norton village, has received a bunch of fresh flowers from Mr Hatfield, from Billingham.

She said: “I was coming back from the ladies and he moved his chair in for me to get past, so I ruffled his hair up a bit to say thank you – it was a bit cheeky but he later told me he knew then that something special was going to happen. We then saw each other each week at ARC.

"From then I started visiting him a few times a week, and by Christmas we had met each other’s families. My grandson loves him. Everyone is really pleased for us.

"He did ring me the other day though and sang ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ down the phone – he’s a real romantic at heart, he’s wonderful.

Staying Out receives patient referrals from local GP’s who think their patients will benefit from the community class.