Hilary Jones was single and had just undergone gruelling treatment for breast cancer when she met Bruce Wilkie. On Valentine's Day, she tells Lindsay Jennings why the last thing she expected to find was love again - along with a new business venture.

IT WAS a friend's country and western birthday party at a pub on the outskirts of Durham. Hilary Jones was nearing the end of a punishing round of treatment for breast cancer, including breast reconstructive surgery and three years of gruelling chemotherapy.

It was enough to find the courage to attend the party, let alone consider meeting someone special. Following the break-up of her marriage, just before her breast cancer ordeal began, she had relied on the support of her children - Andrew, 32, of Durham, and Lynsey, 29, of Consett - and friends, but there had been no husband or partner to go home to.

"My hair was just coming back in these ropey fibrous chunks," recalls Hilary, of South Shields, Tyne and Wear. "I was well used to living with the fact that cancer might come back any day, but I'd had a reconstruction and was just getting myself back a little bit.

"I had to get to know the new me. I had been blonde with lots of big hair before, whereas now I had short brown curly hair. I felt vulnerable and fragile, as if everyone was looking at me. I felt very, very different. The day I felt I'd cracked it was the day I didn't feel like I'd walked down the street with no clothes on. I was extremely anxious before the party because I wasn't used to being in a mixed crowd and I hadn't been for a very long time."

Hilary, now 55, was a few hours into the party in July 2002 when a gentleman in cords and cowboy boots - in keeping with the country and western theme - asked if she wanted to dance.

Bruce Wilkie, now 57, had always worked overseas in the oil industry - 12 years in southern Africa and 17 in Saudi - which had put a massive strain on his marriage, eventually leading to its collapse. He had two children, aged 30 and 28, and had bought a newsagents in the wilds of Northumberland before moving back to his native South Shields.

"I thought he was nice, very easy on the eye," laughs Hilary. "We went and stood by the bar and chatted and then he asked me for my number. The next day he called. I don't think either of us was really looking for a partner. I don't know if it occurred to us that we might ever find one.

"We got to know each other as friends first. I felt that living alone in my little house and getting on with daily life was all I could cope with at this stage, so I got to know Bruce at a pace which was comfortable for me."

Hilary used to daydream about running an introductions agency, the kind which would take the embarrassment and discomfort out of standing in a bar by yourself trying to meet people. She felt the time was right for Bruce and herself to start their own agency and they launched Elegant Introductions, based in South Shields, in August 2004.

"One day we were walking on the beach, talking," says Hilary. "We wondered what we would be doing if we hadn't met, and we both said, 'nothing'. We realised how lucky we were, how different life would be if we were on our own. It's the general companionship that we value, the person to share a home and a few interests with.

"Our business is just about nice people meeting other nice people. You don't have to be a Lottery winner. Friends always ask how you start something like this. You need people to introduce people to, and we started with friends of friends and it just grew. Our clients now range from 30 to 71. We've recently had calls from ladies in their 80s who say they are very fit and just want to meet a nice man."

The clients on Hilary and Bruce's books are all interviewed personally. Some have been bereaved; others have seen their marriages break down and sometimes they've been so busy building up a business, they haven't had the time to meet anyone. Others are merely seeking friendship.

"I always tell people to keep it light on their first meeting, over a coffee or a glass of wine," she says. "Then, if they get on well, they can go for a meal afterwards. If you raise your expectations too high the first time you put extra pressure on everything."

Hilary and Bruce are having a romantic meal together to celebrate Valentine's Day, but although they have found love second time around, they insist they have no plans to marry.

"I think all that matters is that we're happy and together," smiles Hilary. "Everyone has their own assets and sometimes it's too complicated to get married. We both have a grown-up son and daughter of similar ages and grandchildren.

"But we've had a few postcards recently announcing engagements and from a couple who are planning their wedding. I always say the worst that can happen is that you will meet some very nice people. The best thing is that one of those people will be the one for you."

* Elegant Introductions, PO Box 134, South Shields NE34 6WW; Tel: 0191-454 1111.