RON Sangster was sent to a gym just to get fit - but now he's about to marry his instructor.

Romance blossomed after Ron joined the gym at the Regency Fitness Suite in Blackburn, on doctor's orders.

He met fitness instructor Gwen Bone and something clicked - apart from his aching knees.

Now they are planning their wedding and a sunshine honeymoon cruise for March.

Ron, 48, of Whinney Lane, Lammack, joined Gwen's class under Blackburn with Darwen Council's GP Referral Scheme, on a 10-week personal exercise programme for people who have become inactive due to medical problems.

Ron, a technician for Central Power Services at Hollins Mill, Darwen, got so keen on keeping fit - and on Gwen - that he also started going to Gwen's 'Body Pump' class, a weight-lifting exercise set to music, also at the Regency.

They started going out together, and when they went on a holiday to Lanzarote, Ron proposed.

"I was totally gobsmacked," said Gwen, 45, of King's Bridge Close, Mill Hill, who is fitness suite manager and Body Pump instructor at the Regency.

"We had talked about living together and marriage but I had no idea.

"We were in 'Olas', our favourite restaurant in Lanzarote. He took out the ring but he didn't get down on one knee as the restaurant was full.

"My children are thrilled to bits as they get on really well with Ron.

"I've already ordered my dress and I'm really looking forward to it."

The couple will get married at Astley Bank Hotel in Darwen on March 19, and they will spend their honeymoon on a seven-day cruise to Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Madeira, and Agadir.

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