THE PRICE OF LOVE

'ONE VODKA FOUND ME THE PERFECT MAN'

Student Christie Purkiss-Winter, 20, lives in Cambridge.

"Standing at the bar in my local, my eyes were drawn to a hunky barman. I had to be served by him - and only him. He was over 6ft and gorgeous. I caught his eye, flashed a smile and ordered a vodka and Coke, then joked he could let me have it on the house. He refused with a sexy smile, but said he'd buy me my next drink.

I planted myself on a stool at the end of the bar - thankfully my friends were having too good a time to be upset with me for deserting them!

The barman's name was Matt and he told me he also worked at a clothes shop. When my friends came to get me, I didn't want to leave - luckily, Matt asked for my number.

The next day he got in touch to see if I wanted to meet up. We did - and hit it off big time. That was nine months ago. He's the perfect boyfriend, and we're now looking to move in together. I can honestly say my man was a real bargain!"

Matt Simpson, 26, a shop manager, says: "I noticed Christie as soon as she walked in and was so glad she approached me as I was too busy working to make a move. In my part-time bar job I do get chatted up quite a lot, but Christie will always be the only girl for me."

'LOVE REALLY WAS IN THE AIR'

Natalie Burrows, 23, a PR executive, lives in Tower Hill, London.

"I boarded my plane and braced myself for the 13-hour flight ahead. As part of my Geography degree I was going out to Nepal to study for a few months over the summer.

As I squeezed into my seat, the passenger next to me introduced himself. Dave had sandy-coloured hair and a wicked smile. He said he was going to teach English for a charity - and would be staying just 20 minutes from me.

He mentioned meeting up while we were there - and we didn't have to wait long. The next day I bumped into him in the street. Two days later, I bumped into him again outside my lodgings... Dave had come to teach at the monastery next door! He asked me out for dinner. It was so romantic. There was a power cut so we played board games by candlelight. From that moment on we were inseparable. That was two years ago, and we've just moved into a flat together in London. That £600 flight changed my life." Dave O'Brien, 25, a banker, says: "Natalie's the most enthusiastic and interesting girl I've ever met. Since that flight I can honestly say there's never been a dull moment!"

'I BOUGHT A NEW BODY AND BAGGED A HUBBY'

Lisa Webber, 28, an office manager, lives in Warrington, Cheshire.

"For a long time I'd felt like a young woman trapped in a middle-aged body. I was frumpy and it seemed that life was passing me by.

Three years ago, some girlfriends convinced me to go on holiday to Ibiza with them. I was terrified of getting into a bikini - my size 12 body was blubbery and my boobs a saggy 34B.

Lounging by the pool, all I could see were girls with toned figures and perfectly pert, full boobs. Then I overheard a man commenting on how flat-chested I was. What self-confidence I had disappeared. I couldn't wait to get home, and in that instant I decided I had to do something - and surgery was the only answer.

I had just under £8,000 in a savings account, and after going for a consultation at Transform, a cosmetic surgery group, I booked in to have lipo on my stomach, arms and knees, and a breast enlargement that would take me to a 34D. Within days of the operations I was up and about. I was a size 10 and felt like a new woman. My confidence was back.

A few months later, I was at a library with a friend when she bumped into Dan Webber, an old pal of hers - he was gorgeous. We all had a coffee and when he went to leave, I plucked up the courage to ask him for a lift. The old me would never have done that. As he dropped me off I knew I had to see him again. So I told my friend I really fancied Dan and she arranged for us all to go out on a double date. It was a great night and after that we started seeing each other regularly. Once I knew him better I confided in him about my surgery. He'd had no idea, but said it was my confidence that he'd found so attractive - not my body.

We married in June 2007 and now have a gorgeous six-month-old daughter, Ava Lilly. Without the surgery I don't think I would have hooked up with Dan - spending all that money was certainly worth it."

Dan, 29, a quantity surveyor, says: "I've seen the pre-op pictures of Lisa and I would have fancied her anyway - she had the same cheesy grin! But I'm glad she had the surgery as she says she's a happier person because of it."

'I GOT FIT AND FIXED UP'

Emma Stilwell, 27, works in customer support for an IT security company and lives in Alton, Hampshire.

"I'd been single for 14 months when a friend dragged me to our local gym.

And that's when I saw Dave - he was a personal trainer and was lifting weights in a corner. I couldn't help staring. 'Who is he?' I hissed at my mate. She scuttled off and got his mobile number for me. I later cheekily sent him a text saying I'd spotted him in the gym and would love to meet up. He replied within minutes and agreed to a date. I couldn't believe I'd been so forward!

The following Saturday we met at our local pub and hit it off. But Dave said he worked really long hours, and it would be difficult to meet again. So I decided to start going to the gym three times a week using my friend's guest pass - which cost me £6 a go. I needed to look the part, so bought a new gym kit - spending £120 on leggings, matching sports vest and Nike trainers. The next day, as I started pounding on the cross trainer, I saw Dave - and he couldn't keep his eyes off me!

After three months we went out for another drink and decided to try dating. Six months later, we moved in together. We've been together almost three years now. I spent over £300 to get my dream man, but I dropped from a size 10 to a size 8 too. So I was a winner all round!"

Dave Budge, 27, a personal trainer, says: "I loved that Emma took control and made such an effort to see me."

'I TRAVELLED THE WORLD TO FIND ROMANCE'

Emma Hill, 23, a receptionist, lives in Brighton, East Sussex.

"Because my dad worked in finance, I was lucky enough to enjoy a privileged upbringing. I expected a lot from men and wanted someone who liked the finer things in life.

So in 2007, I resolved to find my perfect man. I began partying at elite clubs, but with no luck. By the summer I'd decided to go global and hit Paris, Cannes and Milan - sometimes with my parents, other times with friends. I used credits cards and stayed at posh hotels, always on the lookout.

That December, I went to New York with my best friend Eleanor. While out shopping, I noticed a gorgeous man looking at me. We started chatting - his name was Nick and he was on holiday from London. We swapped numbers and he later texted to ask me for dinner. I'd been adamant I wanted a boyfriend with a glam lifestyle, but Nick wasn't like that. He worked in a bank but didn't flash the cash. And I didn't care.

That was nearly two years ago and now we're saving to buy a house together. I blew a small fortune on my man hunt, but Nick was worth every penny."

Nick Smith, 24, a banker, says: "Emma jokes about spending thousands of pounds to find me. She just knew what she wanted - even if it did mean she ended up with me!"

ADDITIONAL REPORTING: VICTORIA JOY PHOTOGRAPHY: LANCTON HAIR & MAKE-UP: SARA BOWDEN AND CAROLINE PIASECKI STYLING: LUCIE CLIFFORD CONTACT DAVE BUDGE FOR PERSONAL TRAINER SESSIONS AT DAVE.PERSONALFITNESS@GMAIL.COM

CHRISTIE WEARS: DRESS, NEW LOOK; CUFF, FREEDOM AT TOPSHOP; SHOES, PRIMARK NATALIE WEARS: TOP, ASOS; JEANS, MISS SELFRIDGE; NECKLACE, ACCESSORIZE; SHOES, NEW LOOK LISA WEARS: TOP, MANGO; JEANS, PRIMARK; NECKLACE, FREEDOM AT TOPSHOP; SHOES, NEW LOOK EMMA STILWELL WEARS: DRESS, PRIMARK; SHOES, RIVER ISLAND EMMA HILL WEARS: DRESS, PRIMARK; RING, FREEDOM AT TOPSHOP; SHOES, NEW LOOK

This article has 2 comments