Hillary Clinton to the rescue of Valentine's Day couple

Winchester romantic Tim Randall and his American girlfriend Whitney Edwards won a competition to be married at the top of New York's Empire State Building, but the wedding was threatened as Tim struggled to get a visa in time.

With no help available on Tim's side of the pond, Whitney took their fight to the top - and to the rescue came Mrs Clinton who took time out from campaiging to become the Democratic party presidential candidate and "opened the doors" for Tim.

The pair will now go ahead with their sky-high nuptials on Valentine's Day.

Tim, 25, who grew up in Winchester and studied at Henry Beaufort School, started his transatlantic romance with Whitney, 24, when they met while studying at university in London.

Their wedding was planned for July this year - but was rocketed forward when Whitney won a competition in US bridal magazine Brides.com.

Tim's mother Noreen Randall said: "Just before Christmas, Whitney entered a competition to win a wedding at the top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.

"Amazingly, she and Tim were one of 14 couples who won the top prize.

"That was just amazing news.

"Whitney had taken Tim to the Empire State Building on his first trip to the States and they both thought it was the most romantic place they had ever been."

However, the couple hit problems when they tried to quickly arrange a green card for Tim so he could move to the US.

Mrs Randall, of Mews Lane, Winchester, added: "Tim wasn't expecting to move out until July, so there was a real rush to get things sorted in time.

"We went to our local MP in Winchester, but he couldn't help.

"Tim was getting desperate, so Whitney tried to help from her end. She knew someone who knew someone who knew Hillary Clinton, so they went to her for help.

"Whatever she did, she opened the doors for Tim. Now he can have his dream wedding."

Tim and Whitney will tie the knot at 8.30am on Valentine's Day in a luxury ceremony paid for by Brides.com.