A SPECIAL Valentine’s Day surprise has been planned for a man living at a nursing home in Upton-upon-Severn.

Norman Higgins, who suffers from end stage heart failure and lives at The Boynes Care Centre in Upper Hook Road, met his wife Juanita at Manila Airport in the Philippines, 22 years ago in 1996.

The event has been arranged by staff members Samantha Buckley, Dee Shepherd and Bev Sadler.

The surprise, which is taking place the centre on Wednesday, February 14, will include music, a decorated table with red roses and a menu of their favourite foods to be served with champagne.

Mr Higgins, originally from Stratford Upon Avon, studied mechanical, electrical and aeronautical engineering and built two aeroplanes as well as many cars.

One of his greatest achievements was fixing the wings of the infamous car Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the film in 1968.

The couple got married in 1999 but they had problems with Mrs Higgins moving to the UK.

Norman would visit Juanita every three months until finally she came to live in the UK in 2015.

In 2016 they renewed their wedding vows in Upton upon Severn using the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car lent by the original owner Peter Picton, who was a dear friend to Mr Higgins.

A Boynes Care Center spokesman said: “Coming to a care home can be a very daunting experience for some people, the activities team at The Boynes want to make the experience a whole lot better by going that extra mile for people like Norman.

“It really is so important to be completely person centred as an activity coordinator. Making people smile should be a top priority. We just can not wait to see his face light up on the day.”

Previously, the team have organised trips for Mr Higgins to Welland Steam Rally and West Midlands Safari Park.