A NORTH-East widow in her 70s who posed nude except for a strategically-placed heart for a charity calendar has attracted a Valentine admirer from 200 miles away.

Sylvia Whitehall, Miss February in her slimming club's calendar, produced in aid of a breast cancer charity, received a Valentine's card yesterday after she caught the eye of a gentleman who lives in the South.

He was besotted with 6ft Sylvia as soon as he saw her in the calendar.

He has phoned the offices of slimming club Changes, in Darlington, several times asking for her phone number and, despite the distance, friends hope Mrs Whitehall will hit it off with her mysterious admirer.

Her Valentine said he will call her within the next week.

She said: "I think he's in his 60s, so he is my toyboy.

"He does live a long way away, but I like to travel, so who knows.

"The last time I had a Valentine's card was just after I married my husband, and that must have been 50 years ago.

"I was flabbergasted when I found out I had been sent a card. It was a real surprise. My heart is all a-flutter."

Mrs Whitehall, who has lived in the Darlington area all her life, used to be secretary of Heighington Women's Institute. Her husband passed away almost 15 years ago and she now lives in Hurworth Place, near Darlington.

She enjoys going to dances regularly.

She has lost two-and-a-half stones since she joined the slimming club and said she felt great.

She said: "I do not think I look in my 70s, and I certainly do not feel it. I feel like a teenager."

Changes slimming club organiser Mandy Drake said: "Sylvia is quite a striking lady because she is very tall. This chap rang up and requested a calendar and said he thought that Sylvia was lovely.

"We said that she was single and a smashing lady and he asked for her number. Sylvia is delighted. You never know, there could be romance in the future."

The calendars, in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, are available by calling (01325) 260060.