The Marquess of Blandford, heir to the Duke of Marlborough, has announced he is to settle down.

Described by social commentators as Britain's premier aristocratic rogue, Jamie Blandford, 45, has announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend, Elda Griffiths, 32. She will be his second wife.

Marquess of Blandford The Duke officially announced his son's engagement yesterday.

Lord Blandford's previous marriage, to Becky Few Brown, failed and they were separated before the birth of their only child, George, in 1992.

Lord Blandford said: "We've been going out for seven years, which I reckon is a fair enough time before getting married."

The wedding is expected to be next spring but no date has been set. It will be held abroad.

Ms Griffiths, an artist from Wales, is reported to have played a major role in improving relations between the Marquess and his father.

She is also credited with keeping her fiance, a self-confessed drug addict, on the straight and narrow. Lord Blandford has often been in trouble with police for various driving offences and served a 30-day jail sentence in 1995 for forging prescriptions to feed his habit.

*** WARRANT issued for Lord Blandford's arrest on August 21 after he failed to turn up in court to be sentenced for a driving offence remains outstanding.

He was ordered to appear at Perth Sheriff Court in person after pleading guilty by letter to driving at 103mph. He could face a driving ban.