LOVE was certainly on the line for a young couple when they met 12 months ago today, October 24.

A starving Simon Pepper asked fellow tram passenger Alisa Vasquez for a chip and the simple request sparked off a romance which has continued right on track.

And today they are getting married at Heaton Hall. Simon (29) of Brookfield, Prestwich, said: "I was travelling home from work and Alisa was sitting in front of me.

"She had been to the Motor Show in Birmingham, I found out later, and had had nothing to eat all day. So she called at Burger King before getting on the tram and was finishing off her chips.

"I know its a corney chat-up line but I asked for a chip and it carried on from there."

A smiling Alisa (25), of Bury New Road, Whitefield, added: "What he hasn't said is that he finished off most of my chips!"

The former actress, now a make-up artist, said: "On our second date, Simon asked me out for a drink.

"It was raining so he suggested a bottle of wine at his home so I wouldn't get my hair wet! I told him he was a cheapskate, but I've taught him not to be now."

Simon, a product marketing manager for ICL and Alisa were engaged just two months after that request for a chip.

A Metrolink spokesman said: "Of course we're all delighted that they found love on Metrolink - although it is one benefit of the trams that we hadn't thought of!"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.