ACCOUNTANT Andy Lawson locked on to love when he and American Nicolette Carmeci met on the Internet by chance.

Nicky, 36, then a personal assistant at a large US company, was looking for maps of Italy and not romance - but found it with dad of two, Andy, trying out the Internet after work.

The couple chatted for a few minutes and this weekend the relationship that began with the exchange of e-mails will be sealed with the exchange of wedding vows.

Nicky had not a moment's hesitation in leaving behind her high flying job and the single life in New Jersey for Andy 31, and his sons Graham 9, and Daniel 4, in Ramsbottom.

Clearly smitten with her computer "Mr Right," she says: "He is the kindest and most caring man I have ever met." Andy, then a single parent, can't quite believe his luck, either - he adds quite simply: "She's wonderful."

Their story begins in August 1997 when Nicky, then working for the chairman and president of Universal Folding Box Co Inc, was asked by her boss to find a map for a trip to Europe. Meanwhile, home in Lancashire, Andy was browsing on the Internet and in a million to one chance they "met" and started to chat. The next day, Andy sent Nicky an e-mail, she replied and from discussing work, the couple soon started to share telephone conversations about their lives.

Nicky said: "I thought, I like this man, he's such a sweetheart. He was very kind and caring and my heart just went out to him." At that time, Nicky, planning a holiday in England "with the girls" in April last year, changed her plans and flew over alone in February, for a four-day break.

A "terrified" Andy spent the whole night making his home, on Moors View, spic and span and turned up at Manchester airport at 5am to meet Nicky "face to face" for the first time.

He admitted: "I was shaking like a leaf." A more confident Nicky took him for a coffee to break the ice - and the rest is history.

Nicky returned to the United States, but was smitten. She said: "I was heartbroken. I cried and didn't eat for a week. I had never met a kinder man in my life."

Back home, some of her friends thought she had gone mad - while one advised her to follow her heart and so that is what she did. Nicky came back in April and she and her new family have been inseparable ever since. She hopes to work after the marriage and loves most things about her new home - particularly the "beautiful countryside" and Tesco.

The couple will enjoy a belated honeymoon in New York and Boston later, when Andy hopes to meet his new bride's family, who can't attend the wedding.

He said: "It was a one in a million chance that we came to meet. She was wonderful."

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