Russell Perry and Lisa Gould who got engaged in Ryarsh Primary School Playground where they both went to school

by Anna White

People say you never forget your first love, and it couldn’t be more true for love-struck Lisa Gould - who is now set to marry her playground crush.

Lisa Gould, 25, first set eyes on her future fiancé, Russell Perry, at Ryarsh Primary School.

He was a few years older and she tried to capture her beau’s attention by throwing daisies at him, but it wasn’t until they met by chance over 10 years later that love began to blossom.

It has been three years since they reunited in a Maidstone bar, and Russell felt it was only right to return to where it all began to ask Lisa to marry him.

The couple, who now live in Oxfordshire, were due to meet Lisa’s parents at The Bull, in Birling, to celebrate her and her sister’s birthday... but the family were conveniently running late.

The 29-year-old, who previously lived in Palmer Road, Maidstone, suggested visiting where they first met.

The former pupil had arranged for the gates to be left open and for a bunch of flowers to be left under a tree.

Once inside the grounds, he gave Lisa a card which told the story of their romance and got down on one knee before telling her to read the final page - which asked the all-important question.

“I thought it was a birthday card,” the stunned bride-to-be said: “We parked in the village hall and I thought he had planned a surprise party. I had no idea he was going to propose.”

Lisa, who went to Astor of Hever Community School, added: “I was so emotional but I said yes, of course.”

They celebrated their engagement at Lisa’s family home in Lancaster Road, West Malling.