Trucker Janet Sharpe is on the romance road after falling head over heels in love with her HGV training instructor Richard Atkins.

And he felt the same about her as he coached her and three men through a course to make them among the best lorry drivers in the country.

Now the couple, who live together with Janet's five children on Broadstone Way, Holme Wood, Bradford, plan to marry next year.

Janet, 39, was on the first Driver Hire City & Guilds Commercial Driver Training Scheme being run by Richard. Both worked for Driver Hire Bradford at the time but have since got other jobs.

Janet, who drives lorries for Whitegills in Trafalgar Street, Bradford, said: "I'm a bit long in the tooth for having a schoolgirl crush on my teacher. But this was for real.

"And now we're planning to get married next year - although we haven't yet set a date."

Richard, 33, said: "It was definitely love at first sight for both of us. Taking on Janet's five children was not an issue as I have children of my own from a previous marriage."

Janet has always been attracted to the world of greasy spoon truckstops, diesel engines and the loneliness of the long-distance driver.

She said: "Whenever I drove my car I always fancied being up there behind the wheel of one of the big boys. And I suppose I just wanted to prove to myself and my disbelieving friends that I could do it."

The Driver Hire City & Guilds Commercial Driver Training Scheme presented Janet with a perfect, low-cost way of finding a new career and turning her dreams into reality.

"I was already doing some driving jobs for Driver Hire. They offered me the chance to do the training without having to put the money up front.

"I still get funny looks," Janet admits. "But it's not just from other drivers.

" I was on a ferry preparing to dock in Ireland. As usual, they called for all commercial drivers to go and get in their cabs prior to embarkation.

"I was on my way down to my wagon when one of the ship's stewards stopped me and explained that the call was for lorry drivers only. When I told him that's what I am, he was really surprised.''

The Driver Hire Group, based in Bingley, is a franchise operation. Trading as Driver Hire Nationwide it has more than 80 offices and is one of the UK's largest suppliers of staff to the transport industry.

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