Dating site for ugly people celebrates first engagement

Tom Clifford and Janine Walker met in person just a month ago and are planning to marry in December following a whirlwind online romance; they got engaged this week after four dates and a mutual love of junk food and TV dinners, 'The Sun' reported.

Tom, 36, a carpet fitter who admits he has a "face that makes children cry", said: "I've been a joke to women for years because of the way I look. I always thought that I was too ugly to meet Mrs Right, but my life changed when I met Janine. She's beautiful and I love her in every possible way. I still can't believe this is happening."

Tom, who has been single since 1998, spotted Janine, 31, on 'www.theuglybugball.com' in late August. The dating site was set up a year ago for the "aesthetically challenged".

He sent her an email saying, "Dear Janine, Just seen your beautiful face on The Ugly Bug Ball and would love to meet up. You live near me, so this shouldn't be a problem. I have got a face that makes children cry but as they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think you'll love me too."

Janine, a shop assistant who lives with her parents, agreed. "The rest, as they say, is history," she said.

The pair are now planning an intimate wedding for friends and family near their homes in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. They have also been offered a free honeymoon to Borth in Wales, courtesy of The Ugly Bug Ball.

A spokesman for the site said: "This is our first engagement, and we are obviously delighted for them both. We offered them the trip to Borth as we have a company caravan there and wish them every success in the future."