FEATHERS flew when a crowd of cowboys and Indians popped over for a pow-wow wedding, wild west style.

Scores of guests in traditional country and western costume brought Accrington town centre to a standstill when they attended the marriage ceremony of Leonard South and Jean Haydock.

The couple, of Broadfield Road, Accrington, are both fans of the American wild west and decided to hold their wedding yesterday on American Independence Day.

Jean wore a crinoline gown and Len a frockcoat and travelled to Accrington Register Office in a stretch limousine.

They attend country and western clubs in Blackpool, Preston and Fleetwood and invited their friends to the ceremony but never dreamt so many would travel to the town for the occasion.

Jean said: "I've been going to country and western clubs for about five years and used to run one myself in Kirkham.

"Each club is like a big family.

"When we decided we would have a country and western wedding we told some of our friends but it was suddenly snatched out of our hands and everyone seemed to be having the day off and coming along.

After the service the guests enjoyed an afternoon hoe-down at the Poplar Working Men's Club.

The celebrations will continue tonight when the couple have a church blessing by a pastor who will visit them at the Ranch House Country and Western Club, Preston.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.