A HAMPSHIRE couple will always have a special place in their hearts for the Daily Echo after they found love through the pages of the personal column.

Cliff Clarke, 42, and Martina Ingram, 40, are due to tie the knot at Ringwood register office on June 7 after Cliff placed an advert in paper in April 2002.

He knew he didn't have to look any further for romance when Martina got in touch and the couple have just bought their first house together in Cedar Road, Hythe.

"My husband-to-be placed an advert in the Echo about two or weeks before I phoned the number on it. It was along the lines of, 'A very quiet man wants to meet a nice lady as a friend'. It said he liked children too," said Martina, a cleaner.

"I was the first person to reply and he never checked to see if he got any more or so he says!

"I decided to do it after me and my sister were messing about. We closed our eyes and put our fingers on an advert. Mine landed on Cliff's and I thought he sounded really nice. I rang his message about four of five times and he really did sound nice."

The pair spoke on the phone before arranging to meet for the first time at the not-so-romantic venue of Southampton's WestQuay shopping centre.

"Half way into West Quay he turned round and smiled at me, I went weak at the knees and he says the same. We went for a coffee and chatted and we have seen each other every day since.

"It's a great way of meeting people. I highly recommend it to everybody "

Martina's three children are "over the moon" that their mum has found her Mr Right.

FIND YOUR TRUE LOVE ONLINE - GO TO TWO'S COMPANY AT: http://www.twoscompany.co.uk