MANCHESTER'S IRA bomb blew a hole in Wendy Spibey and David Bickerstaff's wedding plans - until The Journal came to the rescue.

For the bombing meant dresses for their bridesmaids - three years-old Alyesha Sayle of Newall Grove, Leigh, and four years-old Rachel Brooks of Rossendale - were stuck at a hire shop in the middle of the police city centre no-go area.

But thanks to a joint effort by 'Brides of Leigh' owner Vera Aspey and The Journal, the wedding can now go ahead as planned in Christ Church, Pennington, for we have arranged for new bridesmaids dresses to be supplied to the tots.

As Alyesha was being fitted with her lovely claret coloured shepherdess style floral dress (pictured), delighted Wendy (centre), a former pupil of Lowton High School, said: "It is brilliant! I can't believe the help I've received from both Vera and The Journal.

"They really have saved the day for David and me. But particularly they've put a smile back on the faces of Alyesha and Rachel who thought they wouldn't be going to the wedding as our bridesmaids. And the dresses are exactly the right colour, too!"

Vera (right) added: "We are delighted to have stepped in to help at such short notice. A wedding is too important to be ruined for the sake of a couple of bridesmaids dresses.

"And we have proved that you can get exactly what you want in Leigh town centre - without having to shop in Manchester."

Last year 'Brides of Leigh' were awarded a certificate for their excellent service. This year they are hoping to go one better in the Bridal Buyers' Retailer of the Year Awards.

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