OLD soldier Ossie Cawood has popped the question to his new love - at the age of 86.

The former York man will marry Jean Bossons, 85, when they walk down the aisle on their sticks at Airmyn Parish Church, near Goole, on August 21.

The evergreen couple have 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren between them.

Ossie, who spent all his working life as a compositor with York & County Press, said he fell in love with Jean when they met at the Old Vicarage Residential Home, at Airmyn.

A widower for three years, the former Heworth man moved to the home in 2002 and was immediately attracted to Jean, a widow for seven years.

But it took him almost two years to pluck up the courage to tell her he loved her and another two days before he asked her to marry him.

Ossie said: "I would have got down on one knee, but I haven't got a good knee to get down on, so I used my stick to prop me up while I popped the question.

"I was very worried she would refuse me, but luckily she said yes straightaway.

"There's nothing better in this world than a good wife. Now I've got one and we intend to make the most of it.

"Jean is everything a good wife should be. She's a lovely woman, kind-hearted and honest, with a lovely family. That's why I'm snapping her up."

Ossie served in the Second World War as a sergeant with the airborne forces.

He returned home to York and helped to revive the Heworth Rugby League Club, where he played as a loose forward.

Ossie was married for 61 years and Jean for 53 years, and both are looking forward to tying the knot again.

Because they both have "dodgy" knees, they will sit on chairs at the wedding ceremony instead of standing at the altar.

Jean will be given away by her two sons, Lyn, 57, and Nigel, 54.

She said: "It took him a long time to ask me to marry him but I didn't hesitate.

"He's still a good looking bloke and still has his own teeth.

"He's also a lovely man, who is tidy, clean and well-mannered. My family are over the moon."

Updated: 10:47 Monday, June 28, 2004