A PENSIONER has shown it is never too late to fall in love by emigrating to marry his Australian sweetheart.

Friends of Leslie Hills, 73, say his girlfriend has given him a new lease of life after the tragedy of losing his last two wives to cancer.

He met Bernadette Bowey, 70, on a cruise to Australia in 2005. The ship broke down and the couple were stranded together in Egypt. Now Mr Hills is set to move from Swannery Court, Weymouth, to tie the knot and live with his Sheila' on the other side of the world.

"She's gorgeous - a typical straight-talking Oz," he said.

Mr Hills said his ill health improved dramatically after falling in love.

He lost four stones in weight and is more active.

"I am fitter now than I have been in years and the same size I was 20 years ago. That's what love does to you," he said.

"I couldn't breathe very well before - a strange illness that slowed me down.

"But when I visit Australia I go swimming three or four times a week and do lots of other activities. I think it is down to Australian weather and having a lovely girl to fall in love with."

Mr Hills will follow his fiance when the two-and-a-half kilos of emigration paperwork he had to complete has been cleared, 70 years after he first came to Weymouth.

He met Bernadette two years after losing previous wife Pauline in 2003. He lost his other wife in 1986.

"I went to Australia to get over the sadness of losing two lovely wives.

"But I feel so lucky to have had three ladies in my life that I love madly. Bernadette understands that."

Friend Ray Allen, also of Swannery Court, said: "Bernadette has done Les the power of good and he is infatuated with her. She put him on a regime of eating fruit and no more fry-ups."

The couple held a party on June 29 to say goodbye to friends and family.

"I'm really excited about moving out there - I have lots of friends and my daughter there," Mr Hills said.

The wedding will take place on October 13 in Australia with a honeymoon at Christmas on the same cruise ship where they met.