NEARLY 45 staff at a firm near Southampton have a wedding to look forward to this May - two of their colleagues are tying the knot.

Carol Kirton and Stephen Mason fell head over heels in love after meeting at a deaf club disco two years ago.

The pair had a further stroke of luck when Totton Pumps production boss Marie McDermott played Cupid.

She offered talented Stephen, who lived hundreds of miles away in Shrewsbury, a job at the pumps and electric motors manufacturer.

That enabled Carol and Stephen to set up home together at Totton, near their workplace at Rushington business Park.

Both Carol, 42, and Stephen, 46, are machine operators - standing just yards from each other.

Marie, who learnt sign language to ensure five deaf employees were not excluded in any way, said she was delighted for them both.

Carol, who has been with the firm for 26 years, admitted: "I fancied Stephen the moment I saw him."

Stephen, who started with Totton Pumps last April, said: "It's great working together!"

The couple marry at Southampton Registry Office on May 21, with an evening reception at Lexby Hall, Eling, Totton.

As reported in the Daily Echo yesterday, colleague Pam Blandford, 73, celebrated 50 years' service with the firm two days ago.

Is there a wedding in your firm this year? Share the love story by e-mailing business@soton-echo.co.uk.