IT wasn't strictly ballroom but it evoked a friendship which turned into a romantic proposal for one soon to be married couple. Sheila Hinkes, of Ashwell, and Tom Young, of Buntingford, both 75, are getting married in April after meeting at a ballroom dan

IT wasn't strictly ballroom but it evoked a friendship which turned into a romantic proposal for one soon to be married couple. Sheila Hinkes, of Ashwell, and Tom Young, of Buntingford, both 75, are getting married in April after meeting at a ballroom dancing class just nine weeks ago. Sheila, who has been a widow for nearly four years, started going to the ballroom dancing classes in Baldock to keep fit. She said: "I used to go ballroom dancing, and I had lost quite a bit of weight but thought how could I keep the weight off? So I thought I'd take up dancing again. "I found a class at the Rodney School of Dancing in Baldock and asked whether I needed a partner, and they said no as there's always someone you can pair up with." It was here that Sheila made friends, who pointed out that Tom always came to the class alone too. "Me and Tom got chatting the next week and we just clicked," Sheila said. "We've got so much in common - we love the same music, laugh at the same things. We're both widows, both have three children and six grandchildren, so it's great." The couple soon got talking about marriage and Tom popped the question a few weeks ago. Sheila said: "He got down on one knee - his good knee! - and I said, yes please!" The couple plan to marry in April at St Mary's Church in Ashwell. Sheila will be given away by her son, Mark Goodman. She said: "I've got the dress and hat but I can't say too much as Tom doesn't want to know anything - he wants it to be a big surprise on the day. "Everyone's so pleased for us and we're both so excited!" The couple are planning a late honeymoon in Ireland later on in the year. They will set up home in Buntingford.