TWO care home residents in Bingley have found love in lockdown, showing “there is no age limit to falling in love”.

Olga Fleming and John Wood first met at Cottingley Hall Bupa Care Home in Bradford Road in summer 2019, where they are both residents, and had only exchanged greetings and small talk until staff suggested they spend more time together.

After being encouraged to get to know each other by staff, John and Olga soon became close friends, regularly enjoying a chat over coffee and during dinner.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Olga and John love to chat and do crosswords together at Cottingley HallOlga and John love to chat and do crosswords together at Cottingley Hall

They were surprised by how much they had in common and began to spend more time together, completing crosswords together, and both realised that this was completing their lives as well.

What first began as friendship has now become “true love” after blossoming into a relationship over the past 12 months of lockdown, and have enjoyed spending afternoons together sitting in the sunshine while chatting and holding hands.

John, 89, who formerly ran two of his own care homes, said: “After getting to know Olga as friends, it reached a point where we no longer wanted to leave each other’s side.

“We have both found our happy place, and it is with each other.”

His beau Olga, 80, a former medical secretary at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley, added: “There is no age limit to falling in love and we are proof of that.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: "There's no age limit to falling in love," said Olga, 80, after meeting John, 89"There's no age limit to falling in love," said Olga, 80, after meeting John, 89

“No matter how old you are, if you want to get to know someone you should just go for it because it could turn into something special.

“We are happy to have each found a companion to spend our days with and my life is now better with John in it.”

Lorraine Tinkler, home manager at Cottingley Hall, said: “Seeing John and Olga’s relationship grow from one of friendship to love is truly heart-warming.

“Simply by watching them be together, I know that they found something extraordinary, and they are so happy to be sharing their time together at the home.

“We are always encouraging new friendships at Cottingley Hall, many people meet through the social activities and events put on by our staff.

“We suggested that John and Olga should get to know each other – we knew they have lots in common, but little did we know this relationship would turn into something much more special.”