A MAN who was born with cerebral palsy is looking forward to married life after finding true love at the age of 60.

Malcolm Dipple, of Buckland Avenue, Basingstoke, met his fiance Sheila, 54, a little over a year ago after advertising for a pen friend in the publication Person to Person.

After writing for a couple of months, the new friends decided to meet and Sheila travelled from her home in London to Basingstoke to spend the day with Malcolm.

"It was a lovely day," said Malcolm. "We talked and got to know each other."

Shortly after that, Malcolm visited Sheila in London and soon the couple were seeing each other every weekend.

"We spent our time together, sometimes in Basingstoke and sometimes in London, getting to know each other and visiting parks and museums," said Malcolm.

In September last year, Malcolm proposed to Sheila in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral and she said yes.

"I am a very lucky man," said Malcolm. "Sheila makes me feel very happy. When I am with her, I don't notice my disabilities so much."

Yesterday, Malcolm was looking forward to their wedding at Basingstoke Register Office, particularly as his brother Bruce, visiting from Australia, was due to be there to help him celebrate.

Malcolm and Sheila, who has been married before and has two sons in their 20s, will live in Basingstoke.