When engaged 80-somethings Doug Hammatt and Emily Bowen look into each other's eyes you realise you are never too old to fall in love.

The pair joke, tease, laugh, chat, play games and kiss like any teenage couple, only Doug is 80 and Emily is 82.

Doug, a Royal Air Force squadron leader during the Second World War, proposed to Emily on Monday last week, following a mutual attraction which began in February when Emily moved into Hill House care home, in Elstree, where Doug was already living.

Resident Moss Vanger, 91, told of the moment Doug first saw Emily: 'She was sitting at another table for a week, and he clapped eyes on her. He invited her over to our table and she has been with us ever since.'

Doug, the former landlord of The Holly Bush pub in Elstree, said: 'I was quite taken by her. I thought: 'It is quite a task, but I will achieve it'.

'It was not long before we were laughing and we have been laughing ever since. One day, when I was getting a bit emotional, I said: 'Emily, would you like to marry me?', and she said: 'yes, please'.

'Somebody said: 'A couple of loveable ancients'. We thought that was funny ,, we are both ancient.

'I do not know if it was a chemistry between us or not, but we felt something between us ,, we clicked. We smooch like a couple of teenagers.

'We were made for each other. It arrived a bit late, but there we are.'

Wearing a ruby engagement ring and sipping bucks fizz at the couple's engagement party last Friday, Emily, who is originally from Stanmore, said: 'When I saw him all I could think was: 'What a very brave, courageous man', and that has stayed with me since.

'When he proposed I did not hesitate, because I knew he was the one.'

The couple praised the support given by staff at the home, in Elstree Hill South, who presented them with flowers and a cake at their party. The pair, who are both widowed and have children, have yet to set a wedding date, but hope eventually to move into a cottage.