A CRICKET match stopped by rain is a frequent occurrence in our fickle climate, but it was a wedding which interrupted play at Crakehall on Saturday.

In an almost Biblical gesture, the approach of Miss Helen Stubbs across the village green parted players who formed a guard of honour with their bats as she walked to St Gregory's church in time to tie the knot with Mr Jonathan Umpleby.

Miss Stubbs was following a tradition that brides whose families live in one of the cottages on the green walk to the church instead of taking a car.

Her family home is on the same side of the green as the church and the route she took proved the most direct for her wedding to Mr Umpleby, from South Otterington, without walking on the busy road between Bedale and Leyburn.

Crakehall were playing Blubberhouses in the Nidderdale league when team members made way for the bride's progress. When play resumed Crakehall won the match by seven wickets.

Mr John Shephard, chairman of Crakehall cricket club, said: "Only rain and the odd hail shower have stopped cricket in the past on the green, where the game is thought to have been played for about 200 years.

"I have seen brides walk across the road from the opposite side of the road to the church, but never across the green on that side."