Pendle lovebirds' white Christmas Day wedding at picture perfect scene of proposal

Laneshaw Bridge couple Erica Platt and Robert Nash were even blessed with snow when they said "I do" on Flascoe Bridge in Austwick, North Yorkshire, where exactly a year before Robert had dropped to one knee to propose.

As in the Christmas Day proposal, Erica and Robert were joined on their big day by friends Graham and Julie Broadhead, and dogs Gracie, Mabel, Gertie and Lottie.

A beaming Erica said: "We hadn't set a date for the wedding, but one evening after a couple of glasses of wine I just said 'why don't we get married on Christmas Day?'.

"Funnily enough, a local celebrant, Margaret Foxley, had read the Nelson Leader story about Robert's proposal and contacted me shortly after to say she would be happy to marry us. I got back in touch and thankfully she ageed to do it on Christmas Day.

"A photographer friend of mine Karen Clark, who has Five Little Boys Photography, also gave up her Christmas Day to take our pictures. It couldn't have been more perfect. I slept at our house the night before and Robert stayed at Graham and Julie's motorhome.

"When he approached the bridge it started to snow. There was also a very inquisitive robin who followed me onto the bridge and stayed in a branch for the ceremony. I was just in floods of tears the whole way through."

Indeed, Erica admitted that Christmas Day proved a particularly poignant time for Erica who revealed she has not enjoyed the festive season in recent years since the death of her mother Barbara, who would always make the day a big family celebration until she became too poorly.

Erica's family are well-known throughout East Lancashire, her father Anthony Platt and uncle Neil Slinger set up the two Wimpy bars in Burnley centre, which they later ran as their own franchise, Burger Chef. The family also own Pendle Frozen Foods.

Robert, from Earby, is also well-known in the area.

The son of butcher Keith and florist Anita from Earby, Robert has his own business, Nash Joinery, and even fashioned a wooden ring to present to Erica for the proposal.

The happy couple, who have been together for four years, originally met when they were 17 at Riddiough's timber yard in Colne, but it would take several more decades before love finally blossomed.

Erica added: "The day couldn't have gone any better. We wrote down what we wanted to say to each other which was very emotional. In fact, Robert just said his from the heart. It was lovely to have Graham and Julie there, as Graham took the original photograph of the proposal.

"Of course, we couldn't leave the dogs at home either. We are all keen walkers and they come with us everywhere. Although we obviously planned a small ceremony, we ended up having around 50 guests as other walkers and passers-by stopped to watch!"

The happy couple are now planning a honeymoon of walking in Scotland later this year, alongside their dogs of course.