A GLOBETROTTING Bolton couple travelled more than 10,000 miles only to bump into Prince Charles.

Anne and Brian Flowers of Bury New Road, Bolton, were in Sydney last month visiting their son and his family. While enjoying ice creams in the park in front of Sydney Opera House, they noticed a helicopter overhead.

Retired Bolton college lecturer Anne, aged 60, said: "We knew that Prince Charles was coming and I thought it might be him. Then the police started clearing the park so we knew something was up. It was all very relaxed, considering.

"There were a few hundred people milling around so I made sure we got to the front. Sure enough, Prince Charles started walking down the line. When he got to me he shook my hand with a nice firm grip and I congratulated him on his engagement to Camilla.

"He looked me right in the eye and said 'thank you so much'. I was a bit worried that my hand might be sticky from the ice cream."

The drama continued when Anne suddenly found herself surrounded by local media. She said: "All these microphones were being shoved in my face and they asked me lots of questions about the Prince and Camilla. I said I was absolutely thrilled to bits and they deserved to be happy."

Anne and Brian, aged 68, then went for a restorative drink only to hear the radio announce: "And here is Anne Flowers from England to tell us what she thinks about the impending royal marriage."