A COUPLE made their wedding day extra special this weekend by tying the knot at 2pm on 02/02/2002.

The register office in Darlington had to open specially so Vicki Abdale, 54, and Roy White, 59, could have the perfect time and date for their big day.

The couple had wanted to marry at 2.02am, but were unable to find anyone willing to hold a service at night.

Tour manager Mrs White, who grew up in Darlington before moving to Southampton in 1966, said: "It was absolutely lovely. Roy and I met seven years ago and decided that if we were still together in February 2002 we would get married because it is such an unusual date.

"I wanted to get married in Darlington because all my family and friends are still here.

"At first the registrar said she would marry us at noon, because the office shuts for half-day on Saturday, but then she rang us and said as no one was getting married on that date she would open the office specially for us at 2pm."

Mrs White and her husband, who is a flight simulator engineer, met on holiday in Majorca.

She said: "Roy told me he knew straight away he would marry me, but I had just come out of a marriage and didn't want to go down that road again.

"We became best friends and we still are."

Guests included the owner of the bar in Majorca where the pair met and the couple's grown-up children from their previous marriages.

Mrs White said: "Obviously your wedding day is special anyway, but that date and time made it even more memorable - it was a truly unique occasion."

The couple plan a honeymoon in Jamaica and Canada.