EARBY councillor Doris Allen voted in favour of an important amendment on Saturday, moved by fellow councillor Tim Haigh.

That amendment was to her own surname, as she said "I do" and became Coun Doris Haigh.

The political allies were united in marriage at Earby's Mount Zion Baptist Church, where there was standing room only for the ceremony.

Around 160 people packed into the chapel to see the happy couple tie the knot.

Doris, a community worker and after school club co-ordinator as well as a Pendle councillor and former mayor of the borough, wore a pale lilac dress which she had designed and made herself.

It was complemented by a cream veil and she carried a lilac and cream bouquet of roses, freesia and carnations.

Tim, who works as a salesman and is also a long-standing Pendle councillor for Earby Ward, wore a pale green suit.

Bridesmaids were the bride's eldest daughter Ruth and youngest daughter Bernice, who wore cream dresses, also designed and made by Doris, and flowers in their hair to complement the bride's bouquet.

Doris was given away by her youngest son Christopher and the service was conducted by Rev Tony Taylor.

Best man was the leader of Pendle Council and a good friend to both bride and groom, Coun Alan Davies, while the usher was Doris's foster-child, Mark.

Both he and Christopher wore waistcoats made by Doris.

The service was followed by a reception at the New Road Community Centre, specially decorated for the occasion by a team of helpers led by Earby's third Pendle councillor, Alison Brewer.

Almost 200 people attended the reception, a mixture of family and friends, fellow councillors and several of Pendle Council's senior officers including its chief executive.

They enjoyed a delicious buffet meal and the cutting of the wedding cake, baked by Doris and decorated by Malcolm King.

Before leaving for a honeymoon in the Eden Valley, Doris and Tim expressed thanks to everyone who had helped make their wedding day such a success.

Picture by Dale Frankland, of Barnoldswick.

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