A ROYAL charity has played Cupid to a couple of firm friends.

Love blossomed for Michael Ramsay, 29 and Ruth Hindmarsh, 27, after they met through the Prince's Trust.

The charity helps young people to start businesses. It backed Mr Ramsay when he started Ramsay Studio Glass, which is in the process of moving from Consett to larger premises in Stanley.

Miss Hindmarsh got support from the trust for Momentum Arts, a community arts project that works with children. She is also a partner in another trust-backed company, Busy Ape Arts, based in Stanley.

"We knew each other before the advent of the Prince's Trust support, but our relationship didn't really take off until after we had established our respective businesses," she said.

"Michael actually helped me with advice and guidance on how to approach the trust for support and I suppose that really sparked off a more personal relationship."

Mr Ramsay said: "Ruth and I continued to meet a number of times after our companies were up and running and it wasn't long before we realised our interest in each other was more than business orientated. We both have more than one reason to say thank you to Prince's Trust."