SOUTHAMPTON peer Baroness Diana Maddock is to marry Liberal Democrat deputy leader and Berwick-upon-Tweed MP Alan Beith, it was confirmed today.

The announcement comes two years after the death of Mr Beith's wife Barbara and the recent death of his son Christopher, 25.

Baroness Maddock, a former party president, and Mr Beith, have been good friends for many years and will marry in the New Year, the MP's constituency organiser and friend Fiona Hall said.

She added: "It is not official at the moment but friends are aware that they will get married some time in the New Year. I think everyone is very, very happy for them."

Mr Beith, 57, lost his wife, a popular teacher in Northumberland, to breast cancer in 1998.

Seven months later his mother died and earlier this year his adopted son, who was diabetic, was found dead at the family home in Berwick.

Mr Beith has been MP for the border town since 1973.

In November last year the Daily Echo revealed that Baroness Maddock and her husband Bob had separated amicably after 23 years together.

The couple have two daughters Becki, 24, who was badly injured in a fall from a balcony of a flat while studying in Egypt, and Anna, who is 22.

Former MP Baroness Maddock, 55, overturned a massive Conservative majority to win the Christchurch by-election in 1993, a seat she held for four years.

Before that the former schoolteacher was the Liberal Democrat group leader on Southampton City Council and councillor for Portswood ward for nine years.