A GROOM swapped his wedding ring for the boxing ring to honour a pledge to support his best man.

John Allan cut short his wedding reception when he dashed off to watch a boxing match.

Mr Allan, 34, married Debbie Johnson at a ceremony in Willington, County Durham, and then the happy couple and their guests headed for the reception at a nearby club.

But ten minutes after they arrived, Mr Allan, best man Jeff Saunders, and ushers Alex Burns and Darren Swanson, made their getaway with several friends, leaving the blushing bride to entertain the remaining guests.

They headed for Spennymoor Leisure Centre where Jeff's son, Bradley Saunders, was boxing in a national tournament.

Bradley and Gary Fox, both members of Fishburn Boxing Club, were taking part in the competition for the country's top boxers who rose to fame through Boys' Club competitions.

Bradley, who also trains the fighters, changed into his boxing kit while the groom and other wedding guests watched from the ringside in top hat and tails.

The boxers, aged 17, who were also guests at the wedding, both got through to the next round of the competition.

Bradley received a bye when his scheduled opponents failed to compete and Gary stopped his challenger in the second round.

After the contest, the guests returned to the reception - just in time for the speeches.

The new Mrs Allan, 29, who lives in Chilton, had given her blessing to the wedding detour three weeks before her big day.