Lonely 'lord' seeks lady

Lord Warleigh: Yule be the lucky lady? (Apex)

The Lord of the manor of Warleigh has everything for a merry Christmas - a £2m mansion, 111 acres of land and beatiful views over the Devon countryside.

But the lonely lord is hoping for a special present to keep him warm by his yule log - a lady of the manor.

Entrepreneur David Piper, who is Lord of the manor of Warleigh, has placed an ad in the International Herald Tribune, seeking a soulmate with a sense of humour.

He has had about 20 replies so far, which he has whittled down to four.

Eccentric Lord of the Manor, 52, seeks attractive 25-35 year old entrepreneurial, intelligent, professional of independent means to become his Lady of Warleigh. Mutual interests should include a catholic taste in music, the arts, travel adventure, English humour and fun

"They have come from Frankfurt, Munich Verona, Strasbourg, Denmark, Somalia and Niger," he said.

"But what I would really like is someone from South East Asia.

"I happen to like that part of the world."

Father-of-four Mr Piper placed the lonely hearts ad after he found himself rattling around in the 33-bedroom Grade II listed house after divorce.

He said: "It's a case of either selling the house, or finding someone to live here with me.

"It's way too big for one person."

Warleigh Manor, on the banks of the River Tavy north of Plymouth, is on the market for £2m.

But despite its obvious attractions - enough room to swing an elephant, walled garden, dungeon, quay and slipway - interest has been sluggish.

Gold-diggers

"The ad was an alternative way of marketing the property," he said.

"It's the first ad that I have ever placed like this.

"I have always met people socially."

Mr Piper, who made his pile in property development, acquired the title when he bought Warleigh Manor four years ago.

And his wife would become Lady of the manor of Warleigh.

But gold-diggers beware - the lord is on the lookout for ladies who can support themselves financially.

"I always thought it would be better if they had independent means," he said.