A DEVOTED bride broke with tradition on her wedding day after raffling her bloomin' gorgeous bouquet to guests at her wedding.

Sue Ryder Care Centre fund-raising officer Helen Stansfield, 23, couldn't miss the opportunity to raise money for the good cause even on her big day and tossed aside tradition to throw her posy to the wedding party.

Instead the dedicated worker raffled her flowers to invited guests and raised £180 for the care charity, based at Cuerden Hall, in Shady Lane, Bamber Bridge, before jetting off to Cyprus on honeymoon with husband Matt.

She said: "The idea started off as a joke between myself and some colleagues, but then very quickly it became more than just a joke, and something that I really really wanted to do.

"I guess it's the fund-raiser in me."

Helen, from Brierfield, near Burnley, has worked at the Sue Ryder Care Centre for just over a year.

The centre helps to care for young people with life-threatening conditions and chronic illnesses like cancer and multiple sclerosis. It offers both long and short-term care for local people aged between 18 and 65.

She said: "I'm very lucky to have a job I love with a charity whose work I really believe in.

"I couldn't think of a better way to mark our special day than to do a little something to help all of the people at Cuerden Hall, who I care so much about."

For more information about the care centre call 627374.