WHEN widower Ernie Broom set up a club for the elderly he had no idea it would end up becoming as much a love club as a lunch club.But recently the Over 60s Club in Bury St Edmunds has seen a number of engagements and Mr Broom, who founded the club six years ago following the passing of his beloved wife Deirdre, believes more might well follow.

WHEN widower Ernie Broom set up a club for the elderly he had no idea it would end up becoming as much a love club as a lunch club.

But recently the Over 60s Club in Bury St Edmunds has seen a number of engagements and Mr Broom, who founded the club six years ago following the passing of his beloved wife Deirdre, believes more might well follow.

The club, based in the town's Howard estate, has already seen three relationships blossom. George Boor and Gladys Austin, as well as Doug Gaught and Nancy Pinches, have announced their engagements. The third relationship involved club members Roy Hammond and Cynthia Nicholas, though Mr Hammond, described as a fine singer by Mr Broom, has since passed away.

Mr Broom said: “It really is nice to see the friendships blossom between them. They are all widows or widowers and they have all met through the Over 60s Club.”

Mr Boor said he was delighted to have met Gladys through the club and said although they had no intention to marry, they wanted to celebrate their relationship through an engagement.

“We were both widowed and it is very nice. She's got a house and I've got a house and it is just an engagement. We met through the club and we both like the club very much.”

Mr Gaught told how he had proposed to Mrs Pinches in Gibralter about a year ago.

“We got engaged and it is a great thing. We have not set a wedding date yet,” Mr Gaught, who described the club as a vibrant community where strong friendships were forged, said.

Asked whether he knew of any more relationships brewing in the background, which might also lead to an engagement, Mr Gaught said: “I don't know about that.”

The club meets every Tuesday at the Newbury Community Centre in St Olave's Road, Bury. It currently has a waiting list to join because of the interest it has generated in the community.