Amy Radcliffe, 21, of Bingley, was at the front of the queue for a piece of passionate prose for her French lover as would-be Romeos and Juliets queued up at a Bradford love clinic for advice on how to woo their sweethearts.

Writer Peter Pegnall was love consultant for the day at Bradford Central Library and dispensed romantic rhymes and passionate poems.

The idea was for lovers to forget fluffy bunnies and soppy cards this Valentine's Day and opt for a poem or piece of romantic verse.

Customers gave Peter a brief idea of the sort of verse which they thought would most suit their loved one. He then selected a fitting piece of poetry which could be given as a token in a pink card.

"We only met two-and-a-half weeks ago and it's been very passionate so I want something which reflects that," said Amy.

"He's going back to France in June so it's doomed really but we're enjoying it while it lasts."

And after Peter made his choice, Amy said: "I'm pleased with it. It's perfect, but I don't want to say what it is!"

Charlotte Stannard, 31, a Bradford Council worker, said: "I've come to get something special for my partner. Last year, I wrote him a poem in his card and when I heard about this love clinic I thought it was a wonderful idea.

"I'm hoping Peter will pick me something by Wendy Cope. I'm after something emotional and romantic."

Peter said he hoped the event would encourage people to give something a bit different this Valentine's Day.

"I'm trying to avoid you wasting your money on a card with an insignificant verse which means nothing to your loved one," he said. "Forget the soppy cards and the satin hearts, there are lots of lovely poems written in English."

Peter is the first of a series of resident poets at the library as part of a project called Poets 4 Seasons.

This was his first event and was organised by Tom Palmer, co-ordinator of the Reader2Reader project, who was pleased with the response.

"We've also received about 15 e-mails from people asking the love consultant to pick them a poem," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.