PENSIONERS Eric and Maureen Nuttall have been riding the waves of happiness after they found love in their autumn years.

Eric, 76, and Blackburn-born Maureen, 63, have been on dozens of cruises and have now clocked up 100,000 miles sailing around the world -- and they were only married four years ago.

The couple, who now live in Parke Road, Brinscall, had both been widowed before they met at a bowling club.

They soon discovered their common interest of travelling.

On their latest Mediterranean trip they got chatting about how far they had actually travelled.

Eric said: "We had been cruising for about 20 years and were astonished when we worked out just how many miles we had logged.

"We've been to most places in the Mediterranean, the Baltic and West Indies and we've loved every moment of it."

In their last cruise Eric and Maureen visited Lisbon, Malaga, Barcelona, Menorca, Cueta, Gibraltar and La Coruna.

The couple travelled on Norway's Fred Olsen liner Braemar.

Maureen, who became a bride again at the age of 59, had been on cruises alone before she met Eric but said that she has made many friends on her travels.

She said: "It's a wonderful way to see the world, travelling in style and meeting people from different nations."

Although they are retired now, Eric worked as an accountant in the Manchester area and Maureen was a company secretary.

A trip around the Adriatic has been booked for next year, and the couple cannot wait to pack their bags.