The mystery romantics who started the padlock trend on Sea Cliff Bridge hope more lovers will follow their example, and start a new tourist attraction in the Illawarra.Three years ago John and Fay Ireland marked their 40th wedding anniversary by adding an engraved padlock to the bridge and then throwing the keys into the sea.The Helensburgh couple were inspired by a trip to Cinque Terra, the coastal area on the Italian Riviera, when they came across a bridge covered in hundreds of the love markers."The idea is to lock the padlock and throw away the key so your love is everlasting," Mrs Ireland said."It was lovely to see them and you hope that people have lasted that long." After the holiday, Mrs Ireland received her own romantic surprise when her husband took her to Sea Cliff Bridge and revealed a padlock engraved: "John and Fay - 40 years, 1966"."It's the only thing he's done romantically in the last 40 years," she said."When I saw the lock I was most impressed and took my friends down to see it."Other lovebirds have been following suit with the most recent addition coming last month, when "Del and Shell" celebrated Valentine's Day and 34 years of marriage with their own padlock.Mr Ireland, who admits he is not a romantic type, said he usually struggled to think of presents for his wife but thought the padlock would be an ideal way to celebrate their marriage milestone."The bridge is very special for us," he said."We drive the coast road all the time."Mrs Ireland said she was delighted other couples were following suit."I think it will be lovely if more are put on - we just hope it's not illegal."