CRAVEN Auction Mart may normally ring out to the sounds of farmers and animals, but one couple has decided that it is the ideal place to exchange their wedding vows.

Stuart Clarkson, 24, from Silsden and his wife-to-be Lara Schmidt, 23, decided to get married in the main ring because they wanted something more unusual than a traditional wedding.

The couple, who have been together for six years, were keen to get married in Skipton, but were reluctant to go for a traditional hotel setting.

Mr Clarkson said: "We approached Skipton Auction Mart about getting married in the main ring as we'd been to a few theatre productions there in the past. We asked them if they would apply for a licence - and they said 'why not?'

"We wanted something and somewhere completely different - a non-traditional wedding. Because Lara is studying to be a vet, I suppose it's quite apt really."

The couple will be the first to marry at the mart next Saturday, March 26. They will be joined by around 100 guests.