Imran and Jemima set June date for their wedding

Imran Khan - playboy, aspiring politician and former Pakistan cricketer - and Jemima Goldsmith are to have a register office wedding next month.

The 21-year-old daughter of one of Britain's richest men, Sir James Goldsmith, is to marry in a civil ceremony at Richmond, south-west London, on 20 June. It will be followed by a reception at the Goldsmith home nearby.

The couple flew out of Britain to France yesterday after news of their forthcoming marriage whipped up a media frenzy.

Imran, 42, said his fiance, who has converted to Islam, was prepared for married life in his homeland. "Jemima is an intelligent woman who has thought it out. She knows what she wants. At the moment nobody knows about her. They think she's some young fresh little girl. But in time that impression will be corrected."

Miss Goldsmith told reporters: "I'm very much looking forward to the big day. There's a lot of questions but I'm very happy about the prospect of living in Pakistan."

Imran said both families' attitude to the wedding was "absolutely fine" and he denied reports that the couple had already married in a secret ceremony at the Islamic Central Mosque in Regent's Park, London. "That's not true at all," he said. "What would be the point in hiding that? The wedding is a celebration, so why should one get married before announcing the engagement?"