Dating site for ugly people celebrates first engagement

A British couple, who met on the dating site set up for ugly people, has become the first to get engaged.

Tom Clifford, 36, and Janine Walker, 31, had met in person just a month ago, and they are planning to marry in December following a whirlwind online romance.

Clifford, a carpet fitter who admits he has a "face that makes children cry", and Walker got engaged after four dates and a mutual love of junk food and TV dinners.

"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," the Sun quoted him as saying.

"She's beautiful and I love her in every possible way. I still can't believe this is happening," he said.

Clifford, who had been single since 1998, spotted Walker in late August on www.theuglybugball.com, the dating site that had been set up a year ago for the 'aesthetically challenged'.u00a0

He had sent her an email, which read: "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've 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."

Walker, who is a shop assistant living with her parents, agreed.

"The rest, as they say, is history," she stated.

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

"This is our first engagement, and we are obviously delighted for them both," a spokesman for the site said.

"We offered them the trip to Borth because we have a company caravan there and wish them every success in the future," he added.