CRICKET legend Brian Lara has cabbie Chris Scott to thank for introducing him to his North-East girlfriend.

The West Indies star was travelling in the back of Chris's taxi on a tour of England when he saw a newspaper picture of Lynnsey Ward.

He was with friends and made a complimentary remark to one of them about the 18-year-old.

Lara was bowled over when Chris revealed that she was one of his regular customers.

Chris, 36, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: "Brian was reading the paper and when he saw Lynnsey's picture he said: 'I should be able to get a girl as beautiful as her'."

Two days later, Lynnsey got into his cab and Chris told her about Lara's remarks.

When Lynnsey expressed an interest in the 31-year-old batsman, Chris rang his hotel and arranged their first meeting.

The cricketer was so impressed with Chris's matchmaking that he hired him to take them on their first date.

And when he was parted from her on tour in Zimbabwe, it was Chris he rang to deliver flowers to Lynnsey's home in Pelton, County Durham.