A RETIRED couple celebrated Valentine’s Day by revealing their plans to tie the knot after nearly 18 years together.

Les Powell and Ann Betts, from Brentwood, will use their upcoming nuptials as an opportunity to inspire their relatives and friends to dig deep for charity.

Mr Powell, 67, recently underwent lifesaving surgery after being diagnosed with bowel cancer and he is keen to give something back to Basildon Hospital to thank the surgeons who saved him.

He said: "This is a tribute to the skills of Basildon Hospital surgeons Mark Zammit and Omar Mownah, the colorectal nursing team, and nursing staff on Burstead Ward. Without the incredible dedication and care of this specialist team, there's a good chance I wouldn't be here today.

“Being diagnosed with cancer is a great crystallizer of thoughts and when I first went into hospital a year ago I vowed that if I pulled through, the first thing I would do is propose to Ann. Luckily, she quickly recovered from the shock and said yes – and the rest is history.

“We've always got on incredibly well together and after 18 years, I reckoned it was time to stop shilly-shallying and get down on one knee.

“At our age, we've got everything we're ever likely to need so we thought this would be a great opportunity to help raise much-needed funds for good causes close to our hearts.”

The couple plan to marry at Marygreen Manor Hotel, in Brentwood, in front of more than 100 guests in April.

They have shunned a traditional wedding list and are instead asking for donations to Basildon Hospital, Parkinson's UK and Mission Botswana.

Mr Powell, a former journalist who volunteers as a press officer for Brentwood Bowling Club, had no symptoms when he received a DIY test kit in the post.

Luckily, his bowel cancer was caught early but 50 per cent of people diagnosed do not survive.

A spokesman for Basildon Hospital said: "We are pleased that Les continues to do well following his treatment, and are delighted to hear that he is now planning a very special day.

"All donations go towards additional items of equipment or to improve the experience of visiting hospital for patients, so we are very grateful that Les and Ann have thought of us."

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.a1news.co.uk/wedding.