A WIRRAL couple are set to give Cupid a run for his money as they launch a brand new dating website.

Louise and Stephen Roper set up Fatepod.com in a bid to "let people control their own destiny".

The pair, from Oxton, spotted a gap in the online dating market and wanted to help people get in touch with someone they may have had a spark with.

The site allows those who may have only had a brief meeting with someone they like but want to get in contact with them again.

They can register to Fatepod and, provided the other person is also registered, they can search for their short encounter.

Louise, 36, wanted to help people 'change fate' after she and Stephen almost missed out on getting together.

She said: "We both went to Aberystwyth University and were on the same course together.

"We both liked one another but neither of us knew that at the time so we would just see each other in passing at lectures and at the student bar.

"It wasn't until years later that we were both invited by a mutual friend to a party but I almost didn't go. If I hadn't have gone, we would never have ended up meeting again and getting together.

"So it got me thinking, if there was something like Fatepod around all those years ago then maybe Stephen and I would have been together sooner."

As well as being a chance to search for a 'special encounter', users of the website can also print off 'fate cards' which you can give to somebody you like instead of giving out personal information such as a telephone number.

Armed with a unique password, that person can then search for you on the site.

Louise believes Fatepod is just what the online dating industry needs and has plans in the pipeline if it proves a success.

And, according to the mum-of-two, the site has proven a success already with those eager to find love.

She said: "We have had some really positive feedback and everyone has been saying what a great idea it is. We have got got some plans up ur sleeves if things go really well but for now we want to concentrate on spreading the word."

For more details, visit www.fatepod.com