MORE and more happy couples are choosing to set their wedding against a Caribbean backdrop, but few ever have the chance to experience the true spirit of the islands.

Now a travel agent from St Helens made her big day an authentic affair when she tied the knot to a local man.

Jane Hughes from North Road in St Helens mixed business with pleasure when she travelled thousands of miles to Barbados to marry islander Charles "Rasi" Philips Ward, after their seven-year friendship blossomed into romance, in spite of the distance that separated them.

Jane and Rasi first met six years ago when Jane was holidaying on the paradise island of Barbados and gradually their friendship grew with regular holidays to the island by Jane and long distance telephone calls.

And in spite of their deepening friendship, Jane says that she never suspected that their relationship would lead to anything else and remembers telling a close friend: "I would not go out with Rasi if he was the last man on earth because our friendship is too close."

But now Jane is eating her words for the couple shared a loving ceremony last month and were joined by members of Rasi's close family and Jane's friend Carol Greenhaugh and sister, Jacqueline who gave the bride away in a symbolic wedding between the two races.

Unfortunately mum and dad, Helena and Geoff were unable to attend the wedding, but sent their blessings along with Helen's grandparents. The couple plan to travel to Barbados next year for a blessing and hopefully a christening, laughs Helena.