THE sun shone, the birds sang, the bride blushed - and so did the groom.

And when photographer Ashley Sharp tried to persuade the happy couple to perform the customary kiss for the photo album, they fell into a fit of giggles.

It took the lure of a caramel bar for Sam Warriner and Laura Paterson to eventually oblige.

But the worries of mortgages are still years away for this wedding couple - after all, they are only five years old.

The occasion was a make-belief wedding at St Andrew's Church, Gargrave, with the couple, their family, friends and guests played by reception classmates at Gargrave Primary School.

It was all part of the religious aspect of the school curriculum which covers personal, social and emotional development (PSED).

And as class teacher John Banks kept the mischievous ushers and bridesmaids in order, the bride's five-year-old father, Ben Anderson, guided his daughter down the aisle, watched by mother Natalie Boreham and chief bridesmaid Katie Rawson.

There were no tears from the groom's mother Alex Cooper, or his father Ben Christie as the retired Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev Ian Harland "blessed" the couple. The groom was supported by best man Jonah Smith.

"It has taken a lot of organising, but the pupils have all enjoyed it and learned a lot," said Mr Banks.

Also helping was organist Enid French. A wedding cake was baked and iced by Eunice Holmes, and Marie Chapman of Poppyfields supplied the flowers.

The school took a video recording and the photographs were on show yesterday (Thursday), the last day of term. The display will remain in place for parents and friends to see next term.