A bridegroom struck down by a brain haemorrhage in Greece days before his dream wedding has finally tied the knot.

John Duffey, of Keighley, battled back to health after tragedy struck on Christmas Day and walked down the aisle to marry his Russian bride Elena Sidorova today.

The wedding ceremony was held at Volos Town Hall in Greece, the town where they have an apartment.

Mr Duffey's sister Catherine Barker, of Cullingworth, said her brother was due to return to hospital next week for a check-up and would then make a decision on when to return home.

“It went really well,” she said.

“There were about nine people there and I just can’t believe he is actually now able to get married, which is what he set out to do in the first place.

“He is not allowed to fly yet, but has a check up next week with the neurosurgeon.

“They will tell him when he can fly home.

“Tbe wedding was brilliant and he is really really happy.

“John wants to thank everybody who helped him get his operation so that he could still get married, although he is celebrating with a glass of water because he can’t drink.”

Mr Duffey had originally planned to marry on December 29 with the pair even having the date engraved on their wedding rings.

But Mr Duffey, 28, collapsed and was rushed to a Greek hospital four days beforehand, having suffered a potentially deadly aneurysm.

Surgeons were able to carry out a life-saving operation at a private hospital in Athens after friends and family raised more than £11,000.

Mr Duffey's parents, Chris and Linda, of Whitley Road, Keighley, flew out to be by their son's side and were there when he got married, while sisters Catherine Barker and Sophie Duffey began a huge fundraising effort to find the money for the operation.

Speaking from Athens previously, Mr Duffey said that he had no recollection of the haemorrhage and had been "shocked" to hear how serious his condition had been.

He said he had been "overwhelmed" with the support.

"I am thankful to everybody who has played a part in donating, " he said. "The money is all going towards the surgery I needed, otherwise, I would be dead."