15397/03DEVIZES has more than its fair share of Casanovas according to a survey by Barclays.

The town's thirty-something men are among the most romantic in the country. The findings are based on analysis by Barclays of its male customers' spending on flowers over the last three Valentine's Days.

The most romantic men are, according to the survey, in East Surrey. Devizes is placed 18th and according to Barclays the likelihood of men buying flowers is 149 per cent against the average of 100 per cent.

Men in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Gwynedd, and Brightside in Sheffield are the least likely to buy flowers, according to the survey.

At Fleurtation Floral Designers in The Brittox, Devizes, staff reported a surge in orders for flowers by men on Valentine's Day.

Florist Amanda Child said: "We had more than 1,000 roses in the shop and we had about 70 left by the end of the day. "The majority of our customers on Valentine's Day were men and, of those that came into the shop, quite a lot were in their thirties.

"There was lots of last minute buying of flowers by men and they were a bit shocked by the prices, but that's what the growers charge."

Florist Rachael Payne said: "There were some particularly romantic gestures. Some men sent blank cards with bouquets of flowers and we had a few women ringing us asking to know who had sent them but we are not allowed to say as it's customer confidentiality."

A bouquet of 12 red roses cost £60, while six red roses cost £32 and becoming more popular this year, said staff, were single red roses at £4.

At Bowsher's Florist in Sidmouth Street, owner Dawn Bowsher reported brisk trade on Valentine's Day.

"It was very busy and we had men of all ages buying flowers," she said.

At H J Johnson in Maryport Street staff said they were seeing more men buying jewellery for their wives or partners.

Sales assistant, Deborah Davies, said: "The majority have bought pendants and chains although I think a couple bought engagement rings.

"Most of the men who have bought items have been older gentlemen, although we are seeing more men in their thirties coming in to choose an engagement ring for their partner."

At Combinations Lingerie shop in Sidmouth Street owner Karen Beater said more than 20 men had bought presents for Valentines Day.

Mrs Beater said satin and silk nightdresses had been popular Valentine's Day gifts.

She said her male customers are aged 30 and over as a rule.

Golden wedding couple Beryl and Doug Hale also got into the romantic spirit by renewing their vows live on television.

Mr and Mrs Hale, who live in Coate near Devizes, were one of 50 couples chosen out of thousands who applied to take part in the ceremony organised by GMTV. The ceremony took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire and was shown live on GMTV on Monday .

Mrs Hale, 71, applied after reading about the event in a newspaper and was amazed to receive a call from GMTV a few weeks ago.

The couple stayed overnight at a hotel paid for by GMTV and they were taken to Blenheim Palace at 5.30am.

The celebrations started with a champagne breakfast. The Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe conducted the ceremony hosted by presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Arnold.

Mr Hale, 71, said: "GMTV treated us like royalty. It was a fantastic day."

Mrs Hale added: "We had been thinking about renewing our wedding vows. It was a very emotional experience, but very enjoyable."

She added: "The other couples who were there were different ages. There was a couple who were celebrating their diamond anniversary and a couple who had been married just two years. There was also a lady who had had a brain tumour removed and a marine and a soldier who had returned from Iraq."

Mr and Mrs Hale have lived in the Devizes area all their lives. Mr Hale is originally from Worton while his wife was brought up in Bishops Cannings.

They married at Bishops Cannings Church on February 12, 1955.

Mr Hale worked for Southern Electric for more than 30 years and Mrs Hale worked on the production line at Tamura Hinchley in Devizes for 29 years. The couple have two children, Barbara and Derek, and granddaughter Claire, who all live locally.