Pippa Middleton: new boyfriend's mother says couple 'very happy'

Nico Jackson, 35, is the latest in a line of eligible bachelors to be linked with the Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister.

His mother Ulrike Jackson, 56, who operates a ski and sportswear shop with her husband Martyn in Folkestone, Kent, appeared to be left impressed by her son's new girlfriend, 29.

She disclosed that Miss Middleton has already made an effort to meet his family, who were left with a good first impression.

"Well yes, we're very pleased," she said from the family's modest home yesterday.

"They are happy, and that is all that matters. As long as my children are happy, then I am happy.

"And yes, they seem very happy – so that is the perfect answer for them, isn't it?"

Asked if she had met Miss Middleton, a part-time party planner, Mrs Jackson said: "Yes, we have met and I have to say she is absolutely charming. But that's it, I really cannot say any more.

"We're all just very pleased."

Nico's parents live in the south coast town, where local residents described him as popular and "very well mannered".

One said: "I've known Nico since he was a boy, and his sister Nina. She (sister) has two children now.

"Nico is always very well-mannered, the whole family is. I know Nico is terrific at skiing, maybe that's where he met Pippa, on the ski slopes.

"You might say they are very ordinary people but I think they are special. They are very community spirited and they have a marvellous skiing shop in town."

They added: "Martyn has been campaigning against the new parking meters they've put up in town. He's very passionate."

The couple recently went on holiday together to the Caribbean island of Mustique.

The stockbroker, who is reported to work for Deutsche Bank, has not publicly commented.