A COUPLE whose friendship grew into love after a mutual loss have said 'I do' in an intimate Lakes ceremony.

Gay Banks, 67, a retired farmer, and Ron Harding, 67, a retired support worker, grew close after Mr Harding lost his first wife of 35 years.

His wife was also a friend and former colleague of Mrs Harding, resulting in the pair growing closer during their grief.

Mrs Harding said: "I checked in on Ron regularly when he was going through a difficult time, and over a year later our friendship turned to love.

"We shared interests and Ron supported me in getting a Cochlear implant as I was born deaf.

"This has changed my life and I now enjoy music and theatre with Ron. We shared interests in art and music, country walking, cycling, gardening and travel."

The pair took their relationship to the next step five years ago after a late night, romantic proposal.

Mrs Harding said: "Ron phoned me and asked me to meet halfway on the farm path to my home which I shared with my sister Wendy.

"It was late evening and when we met with our respective torches shining in the dark, he asked if I would marry him,

"It was very surprising and the setting was romantic with the moon shining, I naturally said yes.

The couple planned a simple and romantic wedding at the Lakside Hotel in Newby Bridge, however, their wedding plans were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mrs Harding said: "As with many couples Covid-19 did affect our wedding plans, where it had to be rescheduled, and we had to cancel our celebration with friends and family at home until restrictions on social distancing are lifted.

"We decided we wanted a simple romantic wedding without all the fuss associated with large weddings.

"We always wanted to return to the Lakes as it associations and memories for both of us.

"We had our Just the Two of Us wedding at the Lakeside Hotel at Newby Bridge.

"We could not have chosen better, everyone was so kind and reassuring and made our day very special."

Mrs Harding described the ceremony as 'perfect'.

She said: "Our ceremony was us two, Tiree our photographer and our hotel planner Penny as witnesses.

"Naturally excited, with a touch of nerves, our ceremony was to be held in private Lodge Suite, which was appropriately rearranged for our ceremony.

"It was a perfect and happy ceremony, we celebrated with champagne afterwards."

The couple had a UK honeymoon after their trip to Corfu was cancelled due to the pandemic.