Two have described why living in is better than in the UK after meeting on the island. Ray Sinton, 69, from Harborne near Birmingham, spoke to the Express in Jags Scottish Bar on the Playa de las Americas - an area loved by tourists from the UK. Mr Sinton has lived on the Canary Island for 21 years. Nowadays, he is "basically" retired, but enjoys comparing, such as as a part-time quiz master at the neighbouring Railway Tavern. Ray served in the Scots Guards for 22 years, including in Northern Ireland, Korea, America and Germany.

"I did a year or so back in UK working just got fed up with the rat race back there, really," he said. "I came out with two suitcases, and 20 years later I'm still here." Ray added: "There's not as many bills. The petrol's cheaper. Booze is cheaper - you can find it a 90 cents a pint. Electicity's cheaper, water is cheaper. If you go to the local Mercadona, you can get cheap food." Overall, life is very laid back. Ray said: " The hardest decision I have to make in the morning is what pair of shorts I'm putting on - and that's 365 days a year.

"It's lovely, where we live. There are all different nationalities, Spanish, Italian."

The former serviceman then described how the island had changed.

"You only have to go back to the 1970s look at some pictures of Las Americas, and it's just bananas, that's all they had," Ray said.

But he pointed out that it is "a lot more difficult now to get a residency" on the island, as there are strenuous checks to prove that applicants can finance themselves.

Ray personally has income from his Army pension, as well as private health coverage.

His partner, Linda Jeffs, 59, from Tameside in Greater Manchester, whom he met 14 years ago ("you get less for murder," Ray quipped), moved to Tenerife 18 years ago after working as a childminder.

The couple spoke to the Express on the weekend, thousands of locals took to the streets of Santa Cruz to protest against overtourism, and its impact on infrastructure, property supply, the environment and rents.

They also criticised local politicians' handling of the situation. A statement from activists released after the march said: "Tourist pressure continues to rise, the number of new residents keeps growing, inequality and poverty are soaring, and real estate speculation is choking us more and more.

"We are losing our unique natural heritage at an alarming rate, and mega-projects serving foreign speculation continue unabated. The islands are collapsing.

"In the face of political inaction, we have no choice but to act."

Linda sympathised with residents, saying that officials do not spend money generated from visitors on the infrastructure of the island.

She then pointed out that people were , which the Express . Linda said: "There are loads living in them now, they can't afford [the rent]. That's because of their wage. It's really expensive now, is the rent. 3% a year, it tends to go up that much."

Taxes taken from tourist activity are "not filtering down", Linda added. "Locals aren't seeing any of that. There's a lot of buildings that are taken hired out for holiday lets, the Government should crack down on that. As long as they get money in, they don't care how they get it."

However, she added: "If we didn't have tourism, the island would come to a stand still. They should be protesting outside government buildings - not aiming it at tourists."

When asked what first attracted the couple to each other, Ray said: "My looks." Linda added: "He thought I was rich." Ray summed it up, saying: "Basically, we were friends before and then decided that was it."