A VICAR stepped in to save the dream wedding of a squaddie after his plans were almost scuppered by red tape.

Tristan Clements, 24, was just days away from tying the knot to sweetheart Lian Dixon, who is half German, at his base in Guttersloh, Germany, where he is a driver with the Royal Logistic Corps.

But the couple were forced to call a halt to the plans after an army lawyer told them that the ceremony would be illegal.

Under German law a marriage carried out at a British Army base would not be legally recognised unless accompanied by a separate civil ceremony in a register office.

The couple were left in shock at the news that the December 13 ceremony would not be able to go ahead as planned and quickly phoned round family and friends to stop them travelling to the base.

However, help was at hand for the thwarted lovers in the shape of Tristan's quick-thinking mum Jackie who had been planning to travel to Germany for the wedding with husband Paul and children Tamsin, 26, Ross, 21, and Hazel, 12.

Jackie, 45, of Carter Avenue, Hapton, who is a member of the congregation at St Margaret's Church, contacted the Rev Mark Jones who agreed to marry the couple in the church on December 20.

Plans were hastily rearranged and Tristan and Lian headed back to Hapton with the special dispensation of the army who gave the soldier extended leave.

Tristan said: "It was a real shock when we were told that the marriage would be illegal because everything was in place and ready to go.

"Luckily the army said I could go home and get everything sorted out.

"It was a massive relief and a great weight off both our shoulders and the day itself was fantastic."

Jackie said: "Everything happened so quickly that one minute the whole thing seemed to be off and the next it was all back on again, but over in the UK.

"We were lucky really because I go to St Margaret's and teach at the Sunday school so I know Rev Jones quite well.

"He was more than happy to step in and marry Tristan and Lian, but he needed a special licence because of the short notice. That only arrived the Friday before the wedding so that was cutting it fine.

"Everything went really well on the day and the ceremony was lovely.

"It may have been a stressful week but there was a happy ending to the saga and a great end to the year."

Rev Jones said: "The Christmas post slowed everything up and a special licence only arrived the day before the ceremony. It was quite a relief when it did arrive.

"But the day went without a hitch and I think they had a nice time.

"They are a lovely couple and I was just happy to be able to step in and help them."