Nixon to marry?

Cynthia Nixon is to marry her long-term girlfriend Christine Marinoni, according to reports.

Nixon, 42, is alleged to be planning to tie the knot as a thank-you for Marinoni's support during her battle with breast cancer, for which she was treated after being diagnosed 18 months ago.

According to the National Enquirer, a source close to the actress, who is most famous for her portrayal as career girl Miranda in Sex and the City, said that she plans to have an autumn wedding.

"Cynthia and Chris want a quiet autumn ceremony in Vermont under the red leaves. It's supposed to be a very low-key gathering just for close friends and family," said the source, who was not named.

The allegations have not yet been confirmed, although Nixon has told friends in the past that Marinoni was "her rock" during her radiation therapy treatment.

Nixon, who has two children from a previous relationship with English professor Danny Mozes, has become something of a breast cancer activist since the revelation of her battle with the disease and recently convinced the head of NBC to air her programme on the subject during primetime.

The actress will reprise her role as Miranda, for which she won an Emmy in 2004, in the forthcoming Sex and the City film this summer.