But the 23-year-old failed to pluck up the courage to ask for her number, and, with time running out until her return home, took desperate measures to secure another meeting.

His sole clue on the trail of the girl he knew only as Michelle was that she was staying with her sister in the city’s Constitution Street. So the plucky romantic decided to put up posters in the surrounding area begging the girl to get in touch.

“I didn’t know what else to do,” he told the Tele. “It was the only thing I could think of because I knew she was only staying in Dundee for four days before she went back to the Netherlands.

“We’d got on really well the whole time we were on the bus and I just wanted the chance to see her again.”

Gareth printed 14 posters and put them up in Constitution Street, Constitution Road and Bell Street on Sunday morning.

“I was worried people would think I’d gone a little crazy,” he said. “But I wanted to get in touch with her so I just went for it.”

Happily, Michelle spotted one of the posters the very same day and promptly contacted the Scottish romantic.

“I had put the posters up on Sunday morning and she got in touch with me that evening,” he said. “I was delighted because she wrote a long email in response and I knew it was her. I think she pretty much felt the same way and thought what I had done was a very romantic gesture.”

The couple went out on Monday night for what Gareth hopes will be the first of many dates.

“It went well,” he said. “We went to the DCA and then for a long walk. We got on really well — it was just the same as it had been on the bus.”

Michelle has now returned to her home near Amsterdam, but Gareth expects to see her again soon.

“We’ve discussed it and I think I’ll be going out to visit for a weekend soon. We’ll see how it goes.”

The night completed an extremely happy few days for Gareth, who also found out he has got the new job he told her he had applied for, and is now making plans to move to Manchester.

He also revealed he has been inundated with good-luck messages from Dundonians who had spotted the posters.

“I got a load of emails from people saying they hoped she got in touch and what I had done was really romantic,” he said. “There were also a few blokes who got in touch to say their partners were expecting similar romantic gestures!”

Gareth’s message read:

“Dutch Girl! I met you on the Megabus Wednesday night/Thursday morning and we spoke for three odd hours all the way home.

“However, once the bus stopped we said goodbye and regrettably I neglected to give you my number.

“All I know is your sister stays on Constitution Street and you’re visiting for four days.

“I know this is a bit, em, crazy and I know you’re heading back to the Netherlands and I’m moving to Manchester (got the job!) but I really liked speaking to you and this is now the only way I can think to get in touch with you.

“Maybe I’ve seen too many movies, but my email address is . . . . . .”