IN the end, despite all the attempts at secrecy, it was the kind of fairytale wedding which the world wanted to see.

Former model Heather Mills, from Washington, on Wearside, wept tears of joy yesterday when she exchanged vows with Sir Paul McCartney in front of 300 guests at a picturesque Irish church.

The bride faltered as she spoke in front of family, friends and celebrities, according to a spokesman for Sir Paul.

Ms Mills carried a bouquet of two peonies and 11 McCartney roses, named in honour of her new husband for the ceremony.

Three years after the couple first met, Sir Paul and his new bride tied the knot in San Salvator's church, Glaslough, on the estate of Castle Leslie, County Monaghan, in the Republic of Ireland.

As befits a wedding for one of the world's best known songwriters, his bride entered the 17th Century church to the strains of a bridal march, set to the song Heather, which he penned for his recent album Driving Rain.

And as the beaming pair walked down the aisle after the formal part of the ceremony, the organ played the Wedding March from the film The Family Way, for which Sir Paul wrote the soundtrack in the 1960s.

The service was attended by numerous stars from the world of entertainment.

Guests included Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, the band's producer Sir George Martin, Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour and 1960s fashion model Twiggy.

The wedding had been shrouded in secrecy until word of the venue leaked out and the world's media flocked to the quiet Irish community.

The location was chosen because the musician's mother, Mary Patricia Mohin, who died when he was 14, lived in nearby Castleblaney, and was raised there before moving to Liverpool at the age of 11.

A spokesman for Sir Paul said: "The ceremony was joyful and moving. Heather captured the hearts of the congregation when, overcome by the emotion of the occasion, she briefly faltered and wept tears of joy whilst making her vows."

Sir Paul's brother, Mike, was best man. Ms Mills, who was eight minutes late, was given away by her sister, Fiona Mills, and wore a dress which she designed herself.

Sir Paul, 59, and his 34-year-old bride were believed to have turned down a £1.5m offer from a glossy magazine for the rights to the wedding photos.

Ms Mills, who had a tough upbringing on a rundown council estate in Washington, later carved out a career as a glamour model.

Having lost part of her leg when she was hit by a police motorbike, she is now best known for her campaign on behalf of landmine victims.