A COUPLE who found love in the lonely-hearts column of the Evening News will tie the knot today.

It is seven-years strong for Tina Tyrrell and Andy Small, from Worcester, who first met after Andy decided to place an advert in Two's Company.

Like many people with children, busy jobs and hectic lifestyles, the Barbourne couple found it hard to find time for dates.

It prompted 40-year-old carpenter Andy to put pen to paper. His future wife replied

to his advert, and the couple have been going strong ever since.

And it was during the Christmas break they announced their decision to marry, leaving family members about to tuck into turkey and trimmings, pleasantly surprised.

"We went around to Andrew's mum's house for Sunday lunch and told her the news and she thought we were winding her up," said shop assistant Tina.

"He'd been married before and said he would never do it again, but it has all worked out brilliantly."

The couple are having a traditional wedding at St John's Church in Bromyard Road and, in the evening, will be celebrating at Coppertops pub, Oldbury Road, with more than 150 friends and family members.

Thirty-six-year-old Tina, who works at the Co-op, in St John's, was full of praise for Two's Company.

"When you are at home with children and have busy jobs it isn't easy to go out all the time and meet people, so it just shows you that something like this service does work," she said.

The couple are planning a family holiday to the Isle of White with their six children, Sarah and Tasha from Andy's first marriage and Charlotte, Danielle, Andrew and Marc from Tina's first marriage.