LANDSCAPE gardener Sean Durkin and Johanne Woods "christened" Burnley's Brunshaw Methodist Church when they decided to tie the knot.

The couple, travelled by horse and carriage - driven by Sean's father - for the first wedding at the new chapel since it was opened last November.

They decided to marry in the Brunshaw church as soon as it opened but had to wait for the building to be registered for weddings. They only found out they could use the church three weeks before their big day.

The Rimmington Avenue church was packed, with the wedding ceremony conducted by the Rev Ken Fitzsimmons.

He said: "It was a very special day and it was a privilege for us as a church to play a part in it.

"We were all excited about the prospect of a first wedding at the church and I am quite happy if more people want to come along and get married here now."

Chamber of commerce officer manager Johanne said: "We would have had to go to the register office if the church hadn't been ready but I've always lived in the Brunshaw area and I really wanted to get married in the church. Luckily it's all turned out well."

Johanne's daughter, Carey-Jo, nine, and step-daughter Amber, seven, were bridesmaids, along with senior attendants Michelle Barrett and Lindsay Burbeck. Billy Wallace was best man and James Durkin was page boy.

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