ROMEO and Juliet’s tragic love story has tugged on heartstrings for more than 400 years.

Now – to celebrate the latest performance of Shakespeare’s classic at Arley Hall – the Mid Cheshire Guardian is searching for the area’s most romantic couple.

The winners will be invited to watch the performance by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men on August 28 where they will receive a bottle of champagne and have their photo taken by a Guardian photographer in Arley’s beautiful gardens.

“Obviously we are not looking for a tragic ending,” said editor Carla Flynn.

“We are looking for heart-warming stories or grand gestures of love that will inspire people as much as Romeo and Juliet have done over the centuries.”

A Guardian representative and Arley’s General Manager Steve Hamilton will choose the winning couple who can nominate themselves or be nominated by a friend or family.

All nominations need to be in by Friday, August 22, and can be sent to northwich@guardiangrp.co.uk.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men is the modern incarnation of Shakespeare’s original troupe of the same name.

Fans of the all-male company – now considered the country’s best and most popular open-air Shakespeare performers – chose Romeo and Juliet as the play they wanted to celebrate the group’s 10th anniversary.

Mark Puddle, the group’s creative producer, said: “Over the past 10 years we have travelled more than 100,000 miles, performed at more than 250 venues in seven different countries and completed over 1,150 shows to over 300,000 people.

“So to celebrate our 10th anniversary we are enormously proud to present our most ambitious and spectacular production yet.”

Romeo and Juliet will be staged in the walled garden at Arley Hall on August 28 starting at 7.30pm.

Gates open at 6.30pm for those who want the best seat and to settle in with their picnics.

Pre-booked tickets are £14.50 – on the night they will be £16.50 – and children are £10.

Audience members are asked to bring a rug or low seating.

To book call Sue on 01565 777353.