WHEN Rob Lewis became interested in chat rooms nine years ago, he wasn't looking for love.

That was until the night he found himself chatting to a girl with similar interests who made him laugh.

A friendship formed, which soon developed into something more.

However, living in Handbridge was not conducive to a relationship with someone in Nova Scotia.

Yet, with the help of modern technology and several trips abroad, marriage followed two years later and last week, Canadian Kim Lewis became a British citizen at Cheshire's first British citizenship ceremony at County Hall in Chester.

'We had been talking for probably a couple of months and then it progressed from chatting to e-mails, then phone calls, then letters,' he said.

'Christmas was coming at the time so that put more of a focus on it. Kim was the only one I was going to send a present to.'

He added: 'After Christmas I suggested going to visit her. We picked Toronto because it was fairly neutral but it was still 1,000 miles from her home. Her sister was with her at the time to vet me.'

The couple met for the first time in June, 1996.

'We had sent numerous photos over the preceding eight months,' said Rob. 'I felt nervous, excited, but we hit it off straight away, there wasn't any kind of apprehension. We already felt like we knew each other, we had very long phone calls and large bills to show for it.'

There was a little hesitation from those who knew him.

'Generally family and friends were a little apprehensive - the internet was quite a new thing then. Kim was getting more warnings - her friends were saying 'he'd better turn out not to be an axe murderer'.

'We started to talk about spending more time together, planning more holidays. I went over there a couple more times, then Kim came over,' he said.

'The first time she came over to see me was in September, 1997. We went to Paris and I proposed on October 1, exactly two years later, on the steps of the Trocadero. She said yes.

'The next time she came over we got married. It wasn't planned, but we talked about it and decided to do it. We talked to the registrar and three weeks later were married.'

The couple live in Newry Park East, Chester.

After their 1998 wedding, Kim decided to return to Canada to apply for a visa.

After three years she was free to apply for citizenship and was one of the few invited to take part in Saturday's ceremony.

The ceremony has had a positive effect on the couple.

'It has kind of completed the process - a nice way to round off the whole thing,' said Rob. 'I'm proud of her for taking the leap of faith to give up her life in Canada and come and live with me - it must be really scary.'

Meeting Rob on the internet is something Kim had not expected.

'I was curious and interested. I felt a bit different as it isn't really a common thing but I have no regrets at all,' she said.

'Leaving Canada was exciting and scary at the same time. There were a lot of factors to consider.'

She said she was not apprehensive about the ceremony.

'There was a lot of information provided to us beforehand so we knew what was going to occur.'

She added: 'I wanted to participate to show my commitment to what has become my home. It gave me a sense of belonging and accomplishment. I thought the oath was very nice and I had no issues with swearing it.'

'I do feel different now that I am a British citizen, I feel honoured that I was successful, and proud that I can now call myself British. My family are proud of me.

'I think the ceremony is a lovely way to mark a special occasion.'