A FORMER student has her lecturer to thank for marrying the man of her dreams.

Dr Julie Watson first met bride-to-be Christine Thompson when she taught her at the University of Teesside, in Middlesbrough.

Christine was studying part-time towards her BSc (Hons) degree in chemistry while working for Synetix, in Billingham. But the two met up again on Sunday at Christine's wedding, with Dr Watson taking charge of the service.

Dr Watson, who has recently been ordained, conducted the wedding ceremony when Christine married Nicholas Parry at St Peter's Church, in Redcar. It was Dr Watson's first wedding ceremony.

Christine, 25, from Redcar, said: "I'm over the moon that Julie performed our wedding, it made it much more personal. She was a lovely, bubbly lecturer.

I felt more comfortable knowing her already so we didn't have to start with someone completely new."

Dr Watson, 43, who lives in Redcar, said: "It was so exciting that Christine and Nicholas were my first wedding, a way of bringing the church and work together.

"I didn't realise that Christine was a former student until she turned up for the wedding interview. It was such a surprise and a nice continuation from her graduation."

Mr and Mrs Parry are honeymooning in Spain and will live in Redcar.