A ROMANTIC couple with a combined age of 171 showed age is no barrier to love after deciding to tie the knot.

Roy Parker, 87, got down on his bad knee – with the aid of a cushion – to pop the big question to Joan Tyler, 84.

She said “yes” and the couple, of The Crescent, Thorpe-le-Soken, are now planning their big day in two months’ time.

Roy, who is originally from Stepney in London, met Joan at the Active 4 Life club at Clacton Leisure Centre.

The retired plumber said: “I got down on one knee, but I had to have a cushion because I’ve had a knee replacement.

“We hit it off straight away – it was love at first sight."

The couple will walk down the aisle at St Michael’s Church, Thorpe- le-Soken, on October 11.

Read the Clacton Gazette for the full story, out now.