IT looks as though one highlight of the year for Winchester mayor, Neil Baxter, has been finding his future wife.

The 806th mayor of the city, who was due to hand over the chain of office to Sue Nelmes last night (Wednesday), is to marry the person who has been seen most often at his side over the past year - his escort, Meg Cables.

The couple are planning to tie the knot in August.

It was not without a touch of sadness that Mr Baxter took on the mayor's role last year as it was little more than a year after the death of his wife, Margaret - they had been married for nearly 50 years.

The first Scot to be mayor of Winchester, he said when he accepted the chain of office last May, how he regretted that she would not be able to experience the honour.

Mr Baxter, who is the Conservative member for the Itchen Valley, was initially escorted by his daughter, Karen Cockcroft.

But she could not attend all the functions and so, in July, Mr Baxter asked family friend, Mrs Cables, a widow of seven years, to step in.

Their friendship blossomed and he popped the question about three months ago.

"She knows my family and I know hers but we never imagined that this would happen - and it would not have happened had I not been mayor," said Mr Baxter, who has four grandchildren.

"It's a nice end to the year," said Mrs Cables, who lives in Swaythling and who has 10 grandchildren.

"We have known each other for a long time and it's a very easy relationship. It's lovely and both families are happy."

The pair first became acquainted over 20 years ago when Mrs Cable's daughter met Mr Baxter's wife at the Women's Institute and the two families became close.

This week, Mr Baxter and Mrs Cables attended the retiring mayor's dinner at the Guildhall in the company of 130 guests, where he reviewed his time as mayor, which saw him go to over 400 events.

He said he would always remember the royal visits - by the Queen in July and by Princess Anne last month to receive the freedom of the city on behalf of the King's Royal Hussars.

He said he enjoyed meeting children on his school visits and added that he would particularly remember his flight in a Chinook helicopter at RAF Odiham.

He said he was extremely proud of the £7,000 he had raised for his three chosen charities - Make a Wish Foundation, The Stroke Association and the Winchester Live at Home Scheme.