CUPID'S arrow struck among a troupe of historic re-enactment actors as life mirrored history at Fareham's Elizabethan fair.

The annual Earl of Southampton Fayre, in the picturesque grounds of Titchfield Abbey, attracted more than 2,000 people to see and learn Elizabethan entertainment, including music and dancing.

Among the attractions was a group of actors from Kansas City and two of them fell in love in romantic Hampshire.

The love-struck pair are Rufus Rude, 36, and Marla Collins, 31, who play the Earl of Southampton and Lady Vernon, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth.

Rufus, a professional carer, said: "We come all the way to England because we love the place and the people and the chance to play historic characters from the English past.

"I was chosen originally because I was told by the organiser Clarinda Karpar I looked like the Third Earl of Southampton when she saw me in the States.

"The hairs on the back of my neck rose when I saw a picture of him because the likeness is uncanny. I also play Sir Walter Rayleigh because I look a bit like him.''

In history the Earl fell in love with Lady Vernon and the pair re-enacted cameos during Saturday's show, including their marriage.

The real life couple have yet to marry. Rufus proposed to Marla while walking along the beach at Hill Head.

Speaking at the fair, spokeswoman Jean Anderson said: "The weather is brilliant and the shows are very entertaining. I can't ask for more. We look set to exceed the average of about 2,000 visitors we have had in past shows."

Other attractions include "knighting" ceremonies by a mock Queen Elizabeth, sword-play taught by the "Lost Knight" and circus tricks taught by Richard Cunming a professional circus artist.

Children from Neville Lovett, Ranville and Heathfield schools also showed off the drama and music skills they learned from experts paid for by a special arts grant.