BEN AFFLECK - 'IT'S LOVE' FOR AFFLECK AND NEW GAL

Hollywood hunk BEN AFFLECK's burgeoning romance with radio sales executive ENZA SAMBATARO is going so well - the pretty brunette is telling pals "it's love".

The new couple have been separated for the past week, as work commitments and poker competitions keep the JERSEY GIRL star away from his native Massachusetts, where Sambataro works and lives.

Affleck met 26-year-old Sambataro on 26 May (04) at a BOSTON RED SOX baseball game and went on a string of dates over the next few weeks.

A pal of the Sambataro tells local gossip columnists GAYLE FEE and LAURA RAPOSA - who have dubbed the new pair 'Benza', "She is in love. Actually, it's more than love. It's looooooove."

Despite her strong feelings, level-headed Sambataro is "really happy" with the long-distance romance and declined Affleck's invitation to join him in Los Angeles for the CALIFORNIA STATE POKER CHAMPIONSHIP last weekend (19-20JUN04).

A friend says, "She's not ready to be Ben Affleck's girlfriend full-time. She has a life and a job and isn't about to chuck it all to fly off to Hollywood. But they plan to meet up when they're both not working."