Earl to marry again

The Earl of Bradford is to marry again after finding love for the second time, it was confirmed today.The 60-year-old divorced Earl, whose family seat is Weston Park, has proposed to Doctor Penny Law, the mother of one of his daughter's close friends at Rugby School.

He said today they had yet to make any formal plans for the big day but were planning for a wedding in August or September with the ceremony at the village church near Weston Park, his family's former stately home on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border.

Lord Bradford, who owns Porters restaurant in London's Covent Garden, said today that the couple had celebrated the announcement at a lunch date on Saturday with his children.

"My eldest son Alexander was thrilled when I asked him if he would be my best man. All the children are thrilled - especially my daughter Alicia, because it was she who introduced me to Penny at a school prize-giving day," said the father-of-four.

"We have now been seeing each other for two-and-a-half years and we are blissfully happy.

"I didn't expect to find love for a second time but I am delighted. It's all very new and we have not had time yet to make any formal announcements and plans or to check availability for the wedding but we are planning to marry in Weston."

Romance blossomed for Bradford - whose first marriage broke up three years ago - and Penny when he invited her to the opera.

Penny who is a consultant obstetrician at Dublin's Coombe Maternity Hospital, will look for a new position in England when her contract expires in six months time.

The earl's former wife Joanne, 52, has also found love again, with retired investment banker Philip Porter, 59.