Man's 'best birthday' after Facebook date plea

Matthew Boylan shared a post on a local Facebook group looking

A man has said he had one of the "best birthdays" after he posted on a local Facebook page looking for a date.

Matthew Boylan, 49, shared a post in a local Westward Ho! Facebook group and asked for a date, "some company and some belly laughs" the night before his birthday.

Hundreds of people commented on the post, including people from South Africa and Australia.

He met holistic practitioner Nataliya Tailistyler who got in touch and he said they had built a "good friendship".

Matthew Boylan said it was one of the best birthdays he has ever had

Mr Boylan, who works at a fish and chip shop, said: "It was the night before my birthday and I just thought I wanted to go out and do something and have a laugh with someone.

"I thought, 'it's not going to come knocking at my door and the only way this is going to happen is if I post it socially'.

"It's got to be up there or [is] the best birthday I've ever had."

He said he and Ms Tailistyler met at a cafe and had tea and cake before having drinks afterwards.

Ms Tailistyler, 45, who only moved to Westward Ho! in April, said Mr Boylen was a "gentleman" and was a kind and a lovely person.

She was also blown away by the "great community spirit".

Mr Boylan shared more updates after their date on the community group, which reached more than 2,600 likes.

Mr Boylan said: "The moral of the story is if you want something, go out and try and find it rather than sit at home and wonder."

'Bravery and courage'

Ms Tailistyler added: "Birthdays are very special occasions, and they should be celebrated.

"I'm a spiritual person so it is a very special day in the universe.

"Matthew's bravery and courage to post it was admirable. It's good to put yourself out there."

She added: "We enjoyed the spotlight, and we joked about being the local Posh and Becks."

Mr Boylan added: "I think we are just going to be friends, sorry to disappoint the people who were expecting the love fairy tale ending," he added.