A child bride who went into labour on her wedding day has defied her critics by reaching her silver wedding anniversary.

Beverley Money was only 15 and still at school when she became pregnant with her first child, Rebecca, but she was determined to have her baby and marry her 20-year-old boyfriend Robert Fozzard.

The couple, were wed in St Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, Queensbury, on the first Saturday after Beverley's 16th birthday but she did not realise until the next day she had been in slow labour throughout her wedding.

"Rebecca was six weeks early," said Beverley, now 40.

"I was very flushed on my wedding day and felt terrible but everyone was saying it was just the excitement of the wedding. The next day I went into full-blown labour.

"I think we missed out on the wedding the first time. It was a case of one auntie buying nappies and another buying a wedding cake. When I found out I was pregnant I had no qualms about it. It was important for me to get married.

"People said I was throwing my life away and that I could not possibly have a baby at that age but I wouldn't change anything. I would not say it was the correct way but for us it has worked out well."

The couple had their son Daniel, who is now 21, a few years later and faced another challenge when he was diagnosed with genetic disorder Tuberoussclerosis aged 11.

Despite all the challenges they have faced, Beverley and Robert say they are still very much in love and will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows on Saturday in the same church in which they were married.

The couple, of Ford Hill, Queensbury, hope the same priest who married them will return to conduct the service.

"I cannot really put into words how I feel about Beverley," said Robert, now 45.

"It's so much more special because she coped with a child having just turned 16 and 25 years ago things were different to how they are now - it certainly was not the 'done thing'."

Robert, a forklift truck engineer, added: "She was unbelievable and, even today, I don't know how she coped. She is amazing. I was so excited and overjoyed at the time I did not care about anything - I just wanted her to go ahead and have the baby and for us to get married. I just wanted Beverley to want the same - and she did."

The couple are now proud grandparents to Rebecca's three-year-old son Joe and two-year-old daughter Holly.

Beverley has also forged a career for herself and works as a sourcing manager for Halifax and Bank of Scotland (HBOS).

Determined not to miss out on her education, she studied for her maths O-Level at night school while her children were still young and when they started school she went to Bradford College to complete a National Diploma in Business and Finance followed by a Master of Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) exam at night school.

"It was hard," she said. "But my husband was very good and would come home and look after the children while I studied. Because we were both young we have grown up together. Bob is wonderful."

The couple, who did not have a honeymoon after their wedding, plan to spend a romantic holiday in Rome after they have renewed their vows.

Beverley's mum, Christine Money, 62, of Manchester Road, Bradford, said: "I kept looking at Beverley and thinking, 'I can't imagine you with a baby.' I was very upset about her education but when she came out in her black cap and gown there was a lump in my throat. I am very proud of her and her husband."

Father Canice McGinn, who married the couple 25 years ago, will return to St Theresa of the Child Jesus Church, from his parish of St Matthew's in Allerton to conduct Saturday's service.

"I am looking forward to it," he said. "They were both very young but I never had any doubts that it would work. I am not surprised their marriage has lasted because they were two very good young people. They were a lovely young couple and they are still a lovely couple."