LOVE blossomed for a couple who met on an internet dating line and have tied the knot after a two-and-a-half year romance.

Distance certainly made the heart grow fonder for Stourport secretary, Valerie Tattersall, and Michael Caffery, who lived 94 miles away in Uppingham, near Leicester, as they surfed the information superhighway.

After seeing each other at weekends only for several months, Mike, a self-employed land surveyor, moved in with Val and soon afterwards popped the question.

The couple enjoyed an exotic wedding in Cuba and last Saturday had a church blessing at St Bartholomew's Church, Areley Kings, followed by a reception at The Swan Hotel, Stourport.

It was a chance meeting for Val, 45, and 51-year-old Mike, after a friend introduced her to Udate on the internet.

"I was adamant that I wasn't meeting anyone, I didn't mind just chatting to them, but I certainly was not having a meeting," said Val, who works for Hillandale Caravans.

But her friendship with Mike grew and eventually they agreed to meet. They have set up home together in Claerwen Avenue.