A middle-aged builder from Shoreham is set to tie the knot with one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers.

James Budd has popped the question to triple murderer Joanna Dennehy, who is only the third woman in the UK to ever receive a whole-life term, according to reports in a national newspaper.

The 48-year-old is believed to have formed a close bond with the convicted murderer through a series of letters about dogs.

And the pair are reported to have already planned to walk down the aisle to Jailhouse Rock with Mr Budd dressed as Elvis Presley - the same musician the 31-year-old played as she tortured one of her murder victims.

It is believed the pair intend to ask for permission to marry at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey next year despite the pair never meeting or even speaking to each other.

Dennehy has reportedly told Budd that she is “not exactly girl next door” but “a notorious serial killing psychopath”.

But the report states this has not deterred Mr Budd who is said to have told Sun reporters: “We all need someone we can lean on”.

A Facebook profile belonging to Mr Budd says that he is currently single as of July 23 this year when he last updated his page and has a daughter and a sister.

His profile says he is from Shoreham, attended Steyning Grammar School in 1979 and Midhurst Grammar School in 1977 and currently lives in Brighton.

The page shows Mr Budd to be a keen dog lover with several pictures of him with his dog Chunk.

On his Facebook profile he writes: “My best friend is my dog, a lunatic Staffy cross, rescue dog, who thinks what's mine is hers (inc my freaking bed).

“Have spoilt her rotten as she is the only female who has never let me down, answered me back or taken up with someone else.”

Dennehy was jailed for life in March for the murders of three men in Peterborough in the space of ten days in March 2013.

She stabbed her then boyfriend Lukasz Slaboszewski through the heart, housemate John Chapman and landlord and boss, Kevin Lee, who she lured to his death with the promise of sexual favours.

She also attempted to murder two other strangers as they walked their dogs.

Justice Spencer in sentencing her described her as "a cruel, calculating, selfish and manipulative serial killer".

Do you know Mr Budd? Then contact neil.vowles@theargus.co.uk or call 01273 544530