Farmer Mark Hazlehurst and his bride Katie Brayshaw have eschewed wedding tradition on their special day by choosing a tractor rather than a formal car as their chosen transport.

But not everyone was in on the weddings’ unusual twist, said bride Katie: “A lot of people didn’t know about the theme, and the first time they realised was when they saw the tractor outside the church. We wanted it to be a surprise.”

The couple met as teenagers (Mark was 15 and Katie was 13) while the groom’s mother taught his future bride-to-be to horse ride at Godley Stud farm in Hyde. The couple still live in the same area.

Mr Hazlehurst ensured his prided and joy Valtra-T series tractor was sparkling for the occasion, and it was suitably decorated with ribbons for its arrival at St Mary’s church in Newton.  The wedding reception was held at the Deanwater Hotel in Woodford. Milk churns and wellington boots were filled with flowers for the decorations.

The wedding cake also boasted a unique twist by sporting miniature models of Mark and Katie doing their rounds on the farm. The event menu featured hearty seasonal produce supplied by local farmers.