A VALE couple are enjoying marital bliss after meeting through an online dating agency.

Mary and Mike Nielsen met over the internet in November last year and were married just over four months later. The husband and wife now live in South Littleton, after Mary moved to the area from Lichfield.

Mrs Nielsen, aged 53, said: "We just seemed to fit like hat and glove from the word go. It was pretty amazing and I am deliriously happy now!"

The couple were matched to each other through the internet service Dating Direct. Members fill in an online questionnaire and the computer produces ideal matches within seconds. The couple, who have both been married before, hit it off straight away.

Mr Nielsen, an engineer for Rover MG said: "My friends were pretty gobsmacked when I told them how we had met. Everything happened fairly quickly."

He continued: "The great thing about the way this dating agency works is that you fill in a fairly detailed questionnaire and then the computer does the matching. It is a very efficient way of meeting someone."

The couple got married at Evesham Register Office. The new Mrs Nielsen said: " We were so sure about how we felt.

"Mike said that as soon as he got out of the car on our first meeting, he just knew. I suppose you do when love hits you in the face."