ROMANCE is definitely in the air for former Haslemere resident Mark Rofe – in the form of roadside billboard.

The ex-student of St Bart’s Primary School in Haslemere, and Bohunt School in Liphook, started a Twitterstorm over the weekend and was interviwed by the BBC, after taking the novel step of asking for a date by buying a billboard for £425 and advertising himself on a busy road in Manchester.

Mark, who moved to Sheffield last autumn, has set up the website DatingMark.co.uk to receive applications. However, he’s not optimistic and believes more billboards will help to increase his chances of finding the love of his life.

He’s hoping to raise enough funds through his JustGiving site to purchase billboards in Dublin, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Cardiff, Leeds, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Bristol and London.

Mark said: “I bought a billboard and made this website because I’m single, all my friends are getting married, and I’m struggling to get a date.

“I was talking to my mate saying how I was struggling on all these dating apps and I joked that I should put my face on a big billboard.

“We laughed about it but then actually I thought what a good idea.

“I’ve had more than 100 people get in touch. Unfortunately half are men but I’m still very flattered.

“Some people might think I’m mad paying £425 but if I find love then it’s fairly cheap.

“I tried to make it funny so hopefully I don’t come across as a desperate loser.”