Mel Henderson and Trevor Scott are set to marry in the summer after both overcoming personal difficulties.

Mel, 39, was just 21 when she became completely blind in both eyes after being diagnosed with chronic glaucoma aged nine.

Just months after the bombshell concerning her health, Mel and her husband split up leaving her to bring up her two young sons alone, one of whom was just seven months old.

Mel, who has had both of her eyes removed to alleviate pain, was left with epilepsy following surgery and has also endured a bowel operation and further health problems following a hysterectomy last year.

She said: "Life was really dire. For the first few years, I felt like I was going to end it all.

"I spent so many nights crying, thinking how on Earth am I going to cope alone.

"But something inside made me think there can be light at the end of the tunnel."

Mel was helped by a carer for the first six months of going blind and she learned how to do everyday household chores and look after her children.

Two years ago Mel, who was living in Hull, logged onto a dating site for blind people using her talking computer and received a reply from Trevor within 20 minutes.

Mel, who is mum to David 21, and Robert, 18, said: "You kind of know when you've met Mr Right."

Trevor, a talented musician, lost his sight aged just five following a childhood accident in which he was hit in the eye by stones thrown by youngsters.

The pair chatted online for five weeks before 52-year-old Trevor went on a 260-mile round trip to Hull to see Mel.

After eight months, he moved to Hull to help care for his sweetheart, and when she was well enough, the pair settled in Trevor's native Trimdon Station last July.

Now, the loved-up pair are set to marry on July 17 at Peterlee Register Office, followed by a reception at Trimdon Station Community Centre.

They are expecting around 150 people to turn up to help them celebrate.

Mel collected her wedding dress from a bridal shop in Wingate and staff from the Trimdon Workingmen's Club have helped by providing a luxury car.

Mel also thanked local shop owners Dennis and Joyce Jordan and Derek Bradley and Neil Young and volunteers from the community centre.

She said: "I'm happy, but also really sad because I won't be able to see the wedding myself.

"I will be able to imagine everything in my mind. I just hope everything matches!"

Mel added: "Life was pretty grim, but everything's fine now. The villagers have been absolutely fantastic to us.

"Being blind can be very isolating but there really can be light at the end of the tunnel."