When Theresa Redford walked down the aisle on her big day it not only made her parents' day but also local history as well.

For the tiny East Challow Evangelical Mission, near Wantage, where she tied the knot, had never held a marriage since it was founded almost a century ago.

Theresa, 26, a former pupil at Segsbury School - now King Alfred's School's west site - chose to marry at the mission rather than in Birmingham where she works as a nurse and where she met husband, Roger Morton, 34.

She was given away by her proud father Sid Redford at the ceremony which was conducted by the mission's pastor Ken Lavender.

The groom, Roger Morton, 34, also works as a psychiatric nurse at the same hospital in south Birmingham where they both met.

Theresa was attended by her two sisters, Julia and Vicky - also both former King Alfred's students - and her friend, Ms Nicola Devere.

Before she and her new husband left for two weeks' honeymoon at Padstow in Cornwall, following a reception for 87 guests at the Challow Country Club, Theresa, who has just gained an MSc in her chosen field, explained her reason for returning to the Mission for her big day.

Theresa said: "It's the church my parents have attended for 32 years and the one I was brought up in. I couldn't have imagine getting married anywhere else,"she said."

Mum Eve said: "It's been a dream come true!

"I'm really glad she's honoured this place. She could have chosen bigger churches in Birmingham, but she chose to come back here, and it's made my day."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.