A SPILT drink in a pub led to romance and karate chops for a couple who have just got married.

Yvonne and Mark Basnett met five years ago in a Radcliffe pub when someone spilled a drink over her accidentally and Mark gallantly stepped in to help.

The couple started dating and were amazed to discover they shared an energetic hobby. Not only are they both karate crazy, but Yvonne and Mark are also black belt holders.

Yvonne has been practising karate for the past seven years after enjoying judo as a youngster and wanting to learn something which would keep her fit at the same time as protecting her.

But Mark, from Radcliffe, has taken part in karate for the past 20 years and is a full-time teacher.

Yvonne started helping Mark teach classes two years ago and despite the odd disagreement, they have struck up a happy working relationship.

The couple, who are both aged 39, have four children between them from previous relationships and live in Radcliffe.

Mark runs the "Dai Ichi Ryu" karate centre in Adelphi Street, Radcliffe, but also teaches with Yvonne in Little Lever and Farnworth.

Yvonne will soon be giving up her job teaching dental hygiene in schools to help Mark out full-time giving women-only classes and mother and toddler groups. They are also planning to open a shop at the Radcliffe centre selling martial arts products as well as creating their own website.

Yvonne said: "Everyone always assumes we met through karate, but it was just a total coincidence that we met in a pub.

"We do have minor disagreements over teaching because Mark thinks about the way a man would perform a move, but I can always offer the woman's perspective and remind him that we're not quite the same shape and size as men!"