ALAN Dean walked down the aisle with a beautiful bride recently. But he's still searching for his own soulmate.

He was delighted to be a 'bridesman' at his best friend's wedding, but wearing a dress was unthinkable to straight-acting Alan Dean.

Alan, 31, who lives in Fallowfield, Manchester, and Liz Kingston, 26, of Chorlton, have been friends for about five years.

He helped Liz to choose her gown, went on her hen night and held her flowers during the marriage ceremony at Frogg Manor in Chester.

However, they did get a few strange looks when they went into a bridalwear shop.

"The assistants made a bit of a fuss at first. They thought I was the bridegroom and tried to shoo me out," laughs Alan.

"Liz tried on about 15 dresses and she knew she could count on my honest opinion.

"But we both knew instantly when she came out of the fitting room in a gorgeous oyster silk designer gown with ruched bustier and skirt, that this was the one.

"She was beaming. The sight of her just took my breath away," he adds.

Alan accompanied Liz and eight of her girlfriends on the hen weekend in Edinburgh.

"It was an absolute riot. They're a crazy lot," he explains.

"I admit I fancied the stripper in one of the bars, but so did all the girls. And I saw another really cute guy. Unfortunately, he turned out to be straight.

"Later on we went to a gay club, but they were all absolutely minging in there! I'm fussy. I don't like tarts. I want a tall, dark, straight-acting handsome man."

Liz's new husband, Andy Brack, 30, a recruitment manager with Hays IT, initially found it a bit difficult to accommodate Alan's lifestyle. Andy comes from Anfield, Liverpool where there is a strong, masculine culture. "He's really cool now though and we have lots of laughs," says Alan.

Liz and Alan share each other's confidences, troubles and joys.

"We met when we were both sales assistants in a fashion shop," says Alan.

"Liz is now a recruitment consultant and she helped me to get my present job as a customer service rep with a Manchester firm of stockbrokers.

"She's always been there for me and listens to any problems I have with relationships, family and professional situations. We tell each other everything.

"Liz has come along with me to family occasions such as weddings and christenings. It's quite funny because people often think she's my girlfriend.

Liz describes herself as Alan's agony aunt.

"I've always had male friends but there's no sexual tension with a female/gay man friendship. It's exactly the same relationship I would have with a girl, but there's absolute trust and no bitchiness.

"It's very hard to find a good friend these days, whether it's a man or a woman and Alan is a great guy."

Alan was proud to walk down the aisle wearing a trendy suit and Burberry tie, with the three bridesmaids, Liz's sister, Margaret Cuming, 29, long time friend, Amy Massarrella, 26, and Andy's six-year-old niece, Elizabeth Garrett.

"I must admit I felt quite emotional at the time," says Alan.

"I didn't try to catch the bouquet, though. I left that to the bridesmaids who might be looking get married themselves at some time in the future."

"For myself, I don't see the point of gay marriages. I think it's a heterosexual thing.

"But I'm ready for a relationship if I meet the right man."