AN AMUSING encounter with a football led to love for a couple who are now heading down the aisle thanks to the Argus and Chepstow Racecourse.

Carys Brimble was in the park with her university friends when James Coleman’s football hit her head, which got them talking.

Although it could have led to a few cross words on Carys’ part, the pair saw the funny side, went on a couple of dates and are now set to marry five and a half years on.

Carys’ mum, Pat, 53, entered them into our jointly run ‘Win a wedding’ competition and the judges picked them for the £7,000 prize.

Carys, 24, who met 25-yearold James in the park while studying at Portsmouth University, was a pupil at St Joseph’s High School, Newport, and her parents, avid Argus readers, still live in the city.

The young couple, who have had their sights set on a wedding since moving to Worcester, are not even engaged yet because they did not think they could make their dream a reality while saving to buy a house.

But thanks to Chepstow Racecourse’s amazing prize, which includes a stag and hen night and the entire ceremony and wedding breakfast for 60 guests, the couple can now start planning – once James has found a suitable opportunity to pop the question.

The couple found out they were the lucky winners last Sunday, when it was announced to Carys’ parents and fellow entrants at the Monmouthshire sporting venue.

Carys’ dad, Malcolm, 58, phoned to tell them the good news.

“We were enjoying a game of putting and I was trying to count up the scores but I couldn’t as I was in shock. It still doesn’t feel real,” admin worker Carys said.

The couple, subject to James’ impending proposal, are due to marry at the course late next year.