When this message was placed in the Bolton Evening News' Two's Company column, it caught the eye of divorcee Sharon Sharples.

Determined to give herself a second chance of happiness, she replied to the advert.

But she never imagined that two years later it would lead to her to utter two far more precious words: "I do".

After a chat on the phone with the message's author Ian Shawcross - which ran on for more than an hour - the pair agreed to meet and, by mutual confession, fell in love at the first sight.

This week, the bride and groom-to-be thanked the Bolton Evening News for bringing them together as they prepare to tie the knot on September 24 at Mere Hall.

Sharon, aged 44, of Rufford Grove, Great Lever, said she had found her dream man.

The administration officer, who has two children from a previous marriage, added: "I know it sounds a bit corny but it really was love at first sight and we have been inseparable ever since.

"It gets harder to meet people at our age and we are grateful to have been given another chance.

"I do not know what attracted me to Ian's advert but I just thought I would give it a chance. It must be fate. As soon as I heard his voice, I just knew he was the one for me. He was so friendly and easy going."

Ian was living in Altrincham when he placed the advert in the column which matches people looking for soul mates.

Two years younger than Sharon, he had experienced the break-up of two marriages, and was also hoping for the chance to meet someone new.

After they met, Sharon soon began to share Ian's love of boating and it was on one of their frequent trips along the rivers of the North-west that Ian dropped down on to one knee and popped the question that Sharon had least been expecting to hear.

Ian said: "She made me so happy when she said yes', we get along in a way that I have never shared with anyone before."

Two's Company appears in the Bolton Evening News on Mondays and Thursdays for those looking for genuine relationships.