ALL the wedding day planning in the world couldn't have predicted being jilted at the altar by the vicar - but that's exactly what happened to one unlucky couple.

Around 80 guests, watched in amazement at Carl Hailstone and bride-to-be Jane Pye's big day.

Carl's parents, from Thornfield Avenue, Thornton, had been looking forward to their only child's wedding at St James' Church, Preesall, for more than two years.

But while 31-year-old Carl was adding the final touches to his buttonhole and Jane, 21, was nervously waiting for her entrance, there was no sign of the vicar.

As the guests took their seats just before noon last Saturday (May 22) no-one could have expected the news to follow - Reverend Terry Middleditch was in fact in Morecambe.

Les Hailstone explained: "Looking back now it's all a bit of fun. But on the day we certainly weren't laughing.

"The news spread by word of mouth in the church 20 minutes after the ceremony was due to start that the vicar wasn't here.

"In the meantime Jane, in a horse-drawn carriage, was thinking Carl's not turned up, Carl was inside thinking Jane wasn't here and the organist was busy playing his fingers red raw.

"Luckily we got a stand-in, Canon Ted Angus from nearby St Oswald's Church, and he performed the ceremony beautifully.

"I've spoken to the vicar and I can say I wasn't very sociable. At the time, I could have throttled him. He says he did have the wedding booked in his diary for 2pm but we'll never know."

Mr Middleditch was unavailable for comment but a statement from the Blackburn Diocese read: "The Church regrets any inconvenience or embarrassment caused to the families affected by the delay to the service.

"This was caused by a misunderstanding over timing."

Despite Jane nursing a cold the couple are currently on honeymoon in Wales.

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