James Bond fan Anne McHugh was both shaken and stirred when actor Pierce Brosnan joined her birthday meal.

She and her husband Patrick had flown to Los Angeles to celebrate her 70th birthday with their grown-up children, who work in California, when they met the star at a Malibu Beach restaurant.

To mark the occasion, Mr McHugh had asked the restaurant staff to put some candles he had brought along on to her cake.

But rather than embarrass his wife in front of the other diners by revealing her age, he had brought along candles which spelled out 007 as a tribute to his wife's love of James Bond films.

By chance, as the cake was brought out, Pierce Brosnan, star of four Bond films, entered the restaurant with his wife.

The candles immediately caught the Irish actor's attention and he came over to wish a startled Mrs McHugh a happy birthday and have his picture taken with her. She said: "It was a big surprise, that is for sure. I am a big fan of the Bond movies and really like the ones which star Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery.

"He was very friendly and had no problem with my daughter taking a picture of us. It certainly was an unexpected present."

Mr McHugh admitted he could not have planned the whole episode better if he had tried.

He said: "I had just lit the candles when my son Joe said You won't believe who has just walked in'.

"It reminded me of the line from Casablanca, of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine'.

"He came over and asked what was going on with the candles and then congratulated her and had his picture taken with us. It certainly was memorable."

Pierce Brosnan has now stepped down from his role as Bond with Daniel Craig taking over for the new film Casino Royale.

Mrs McHugh worked in the advertising department of the Telegraph & Argus until her retirement in 1994.

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk