AN EDDLESTON widow has proved it’s never too late to find true love, after tying the knot with her next-door neighbour at the age of 86.

And the blushing groom is none other than world-famous scientist Professor Sir Ian Wilmut – who hit the headlines in 1997 with the cloning of Dolly the sheep.

Sir Ian, 72, married the newly-named Lady Wilmut (formerly Haddon) at a service in the village on Saturday.

The pair got chatting over a gin and tonic when Sara, a widow of 20 years, offered Ian support following the loss of his wife, who died 18 months ago.

The neighbours grew ever closer and embarked on a whirlwind romance, before they decided to get married during a trip to the Lake District last April.

Lady Wilmut told the Peeblesshire News: “We both told our families soon after the decision was made and they were delighted to to hear the news that we were getting married.”

Sir Ian added: “It wasn’t a matter of if we were getting married, but a question of when we would do it, as we both have family around the world.

"I was very sad following the death of my late wife, and I’m very grateful to Sara for reaching out to me at the time to give me company and have someone to talk to.

“People may try to write off love once you reach a certain age, but it just goes to show that you can find love at any age.”

The couple have family across Peeblesshire, with other relatives jetting in from the likes of Norway and Australia to celebrate their special day.

Lady Wilmut ran the Sunflower restaurant in Peebles with her late husband in the 1980s and has also worked at the Glen estate at Innerleithen as an events organiser.

Her experience helped her plan the big day to the letter, organising the wedding, reception and more in two months.

She said: “Our wedding day was fabulous and it was a wonderful time to celebrate with our families, who also got to experience some of the Scottish culture with music and dancing.

“Our family members, Eva Haddon and Lily and Edward Puxley did a lovely job as bridesmaids and groomsmen too.”

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut came under the global media spotlight following the birth of Dolly, as he and his team created one of first mammals to be both cloned and genetically modified, a move which was not without controversy at the time.

He moved to the University of Edinburgh in 2005, becoming the first director of the MRC centre for regenerative medicine the following year.

He is now Professor Emeritus at the centre.

No plans have been made for a honeymoon yet, as the couple want to focus on setting up home together.