AN Army veteran swept his bride off her feet in military fashion - on the back of a Second World War Army Jeep, complete with GIs.

Former Sergeant David Simpson, 55, married June Donnelly, 46, at the Methodist Church in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, at the weekend, following a 13-year courtship.

The ceremony was presided over by DLI Padre Brian Rawson, who came out of retirement for the occasion.

The couple were driven from the church in a US Willis Jeep, with members of the Durham Light Infantry Association forming the guard of honour.

The couple are members of the newly formed Chester-le-Street War Memorial Association, which is raising funds to have a new memorial built in the town.

Mrs Simpson, a teacher at Deerness Valley School, in Ushaw Moor, said: "It was really exciting and made me feel so much a part of the world that David is in."

The couple met in the queue at the cinema in Stanley while waiting to see Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Mrs Simpson said: "Dave mentioned that he liked ballroom dancing and I replied I always wanted to learn.

"After the movie, he asked me for a date. We haven't looked back since."

Mr Simpson served with the Durham Light Infantry, which disbanded in 1967. He then went to King's Shropshire Light Infantry and served with the regiment until 1979.