NEWLYWEDS Tom Keep and Nicola Blyton watched the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales at their wedding reception.

Wearing black ribbons Tom and Nicola, from Hindley (pictured) stood in silence moments before they tied the knot at Leigh Town Hall.

Nicola, 24, said: "It was our happy day but still the thought of Princess Diana's funeral was on our minds.

"When we came outside it seemed strange, so quiet.

"We went to my mum's house for a buffet and ended-up watching the funeral on TV. It was weird watching a funeral on our wedding day.

"The funeral also affected the number of people at our reception in the evening.

"We received quite a few cards from people who should have been coming saying because of the funeral they wouldn't be turning up!

"It spoiled it a bit for us because we couldn't have cancelled the reception at such short notice without losing out."

At Golborne, the Rev Richard Plant reassured the couple who married at St Thomas's that Diana would have wanted their afternoon wedding to go ahead.

He told The Journal: "I had a long discussion with the couple before the wedding and I told them this was their wedding day, and it was meant to be a happy one for them.

"For that reason I told them we wouldn't be holding any special prayers for Diana during the service because I wanted them to remember the day for themselves, not for a funeral.

"I thought long and hard about it and decided to hold a special memorial service for Princess Diana on Sunday.

"But for the wedding day of the happy couple I told them if Diana was here I was sure she would have wanted them to go ahead and have a happy day."

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