A DATING agency tailored for people with learning disabilities is set to feature on the new series of a hit TV show.

HeartVenture, based in Russell Place, Brighton, specialises in fun and friendship for like-minded individuals who need a helping hand in the dating game.

The company, which only started 18 months ago and celebrated its launch party last week, will appear on Channel 4’s The Undateables in 2016. The show follows adults with physical and learning disabilities in their quest for love.

HeartVenture was founded by Carol Wakeford – the mother of The Undateables series four star Daniel.

Carol, from Hangleton, said: “It all started 18 months ago while filming the last series of the show. We met Lydia from Stars in the Sky – a dating agency for people with learning disabilities based in London – who said they always had calls from people in Brighton and Hove, but had to turn them down because they were in Tottenham.

“We created the HeartVenture website and did a survey to see if the service was needed down here.

“We had such a great response that we moved into our new office in May and received applications straight away.”

The Argus: Carol WakefordCarol Wakeford Carol Wakeford

In the coming months, HeartVenture will launch a photo forum service on its website that allows members to browse pictures of other single men and women. If they like what they see, they are instructed to simply click a button on the page.

Carol’s team in the office will then be alerted to the potential match and a chaperoned first date will be arranged between the members.

Carol said: “We want to create a network for people all across the country so that our members aren’t just cocooned in their own little bubble.

“We want to be able to organise coach trips to, say, Bournemouth, where we can meet other groups or agencies and let our members get out and about to lead normal lives, which is all they want to do.

“We had a fab launch party at Rendezvous Casino, in Brighton, on Saturday and I’m really grateful to everyone who came to help make it what it was.”

Asked how Daniel was, Carol said: “He’s brilliant. He’s still single, but he’s having lots of fun filming the new series.

“I was concerned when he first applied for the show, but it’s turned out brilliantly. Everyone says how well he comes across on the TV, so I couldn’t be happier.”

HeartVenture is inviting people to a speed dating and disco evening at the Ladies Mile pub in Patcham on July 28, where Channel 4 will be filming segments of The Undateables.

Carol added: “Everyone is welcome, but if you don’t want to appear on TV, you don’t have to. There is no pressure.”