Paul McCartney takes romantic break with Nancy Shevell

Sir Paul McCartney appears to have put the strains of his divorce behind him as he paddles in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean with the American socialite Nancy Shevell.

The 65-year-old former Beatle has been relaxing on a beach in Antigua at the exclusive Jumby Bay resort with the heiress, who is separated from her husband.

Miss Shevell and Sir Paul were photographed as they strolled along the water's edge, soaking up the sunshine and pausing to look at a starfish on the shoreline.

Earlier they had taken a 45-minute sailing trip on a small dinghy, named sunfish, and were spotted riding bikes around the island.

Miss Shevell, 47, who owns a home near Sir Paul in the exclusive Hamptons enclave of New York, looked svelte in a brown and white striped bikini.

An onlooker said: "They looked very happy and relaxed."

The pair flew into Antigua together on a private aeroplane and are believed to be staying in a £6,000-a-night private villa at the exclusive resort on Long Island. Jumby Bay is used to playing host to high-profile guests.

While Sir Paul and Miss Shevell were in residence this weekend, singer Mariah Carey and her enormous entourage also checked in.

The break could not have come at a better time for Sir Paul who has just reached a divorce settlement with Heather Mills after a six day hearing in February.

In March Miss Mills was awarded just £24.3 million.

She had been fighting for £125 million. Miss Shevell, vice-president of her family's transport firm New England Motor Freight, a conglomerate worth £250 million, separated from lawyer husband Bruce Blakeman last year.

The socialite and Mr Blakeman, who have a teenage son, Arlen, are believed to have been old friends of Sir Paul and his New York-born first wife, Linda, who died of breast cancer ten years ago this month.

Miss Shevell, a breast cancer survivor, has donated large amounts to cancer charities and also supports self-help groups for the parents of drug-addicted children.

(Source: Telegraph.co.uk)