THE Victorian wedding of a Ribble Valley couple which was filmed for television last year could be followed by a Victorian christening.

Francis and Grace Howard, of Newton - pictured with their guests - are expecting their first child on August 10.

The couple were married last June at St Andrew's Church in Slaidburn, which was transformed into an 1840 rural hamlet by television production company Maya Vision and the programme is due to be screened early next month.

Francis and Grace were chosen from hundreds of hopefuls across the country to take part in a documentary-style reconstruction of a 19th Century rural wedding.

And on June 5 last year they wore period costumes as did their 70 guests and a reception was held in a barn at the home of the bride's parents complete with trestle tables and Victorian fare.

Grace wore a gown and matching bonnet of gold silk and was given away by her father, Jim Stephenson.

Hurst Green vicar John Birbeck took a starring role in the proceedings as a parish clerk with vicar Mark Russell-Smith performing the ceremony.

Grace's mum, Marion Stephenson, said the couple are overjoyed to be expecting a baby and added: "We could have a Victorian christening to go with the Victorian wedding."

Grace is manageress and coffee roaster at Exchange Coffee in Skipton and Francis works on the family farm in Newton.

The Real History Show, narrated by actor Bernard Hill - who played Captain Smith in the blockbuster movie Titanic and Yosser Hughes in the 1980s television drama the Boys From The Blackstuff - will be screened at 5pm on March 5.

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