A bridesmaid has travelled more than 3,000 miles for her best friend's wedding - while meeting her in the flesh just days before.

American Megan Green has been Charlene Skelton's pen pal for 14 years.

And when Charlene last year asked her by letter to be one of her five bridesmaids, the 23-year-old accountant jumped at the chance to travel from Boston to Bradford.

"I was still at Michigan University doing an economics degree when I received the letter and I was just so excited," said Megan, pictured right with Charlene.

"I felt so honoured that she had asked me and I was running around telling all my friends."

Charlene, of Eccleshill, tied the knot with her five-year sweetheart Mark Sheridan, 24, at St Peter's Church in Addingham on Saturday.

And she said she was delighted Megan and boyfriend Dustin Clinard were there to share her big day.

"I still can't believe she's here. We only met face to face last Monday and after being initially a bit nervous we haven't stopped talking since," added Charlene, a buying assistant.

The women started writing to each other when they were little girls.

A pupil at Cottingley First School, seven-year-old Charlene was told about life in Boston, Massachusetts, by teachers visiting from Megan's school.

And on their return to the USA the teachers took a list of Bradford schoolchildren wanting American pen friends.

Megan picked Charlene's name and from then on they wrote monthly with details about their families, school work and arguments with parents.

As they grew up they began to share secrets about their first loves, congratulate one another on exam success and they finally spoke to one another for the first time in November last year.

"I'd decided on Bonfire Night I would ring Megan the next day, and just before I was about to do it she rang me - it was very spooky," said Charlene, 22.

"We have become very close because we have got into the habit of writing absolutely everything down about our lives."

She said she is now planning to visit Megan in her hometown next year.

Mandy Clark, who runs Big and Beautiful in Idle, created the bridesmaids' dresses and Charlene's ivory gown.

And she said making Megan's gold and ivory outfit was a bit of a challenge.

"I had to send a diagram to Boston showing her where she had to measure herself," said Mrs Clark.

"I was worried when she came in for her fitting that it wouldn't fit, but it was spot on."

The service was followed by a reception at The Three Sisters hotel in Haworth and the newlyweds will be going to Mexico for their honeymoon.