A COUPLE whose plans to marry in the idyllic Mexican resort of Cancun were washed out by Hurricane Wilma could tie the knot back in the North-East this weekend.

Family and friends of distraught Lynn Bratt and Gordon Steels are hoping they will be among the first British tourists to be flown out of the storm-ravaged resort today after days of living on little but water.

Their parents hope they will then be granted a special licence enabling them to get married at Hartlepool Register Office this weekend - before the bride's father is due to return to his job overseas.

The Northern Echo reported yesterday how the Hartlepool couple and more than 20 of their close friends and family had travelled to Mexico in preparation for their wedding yesterday.

But their plans were ruined by the category three storm, which brought ruin to Mexico's Yucatan coast.

The couple's parents were due to fly out last week to meet the wedding party, but their flights were cancelled.

Lynn's father, Barry Bratt, of Torquay Avenue, Hartlepool, said last night: "There are two planes leaving with British tourists tomorrow, so we just hope they are on them. We don't know yet."

Lynn's mum Pauline was yesterday busy trying to re-arrange the wedding for this weekend.

She was told that provided the couple could show receipts and proof of their ordeal, they may be granted a special wedding licence.

Mr Bratt said: "We are trying to get them married this weekend. I'm an engineer out in Kazakhstan and only had two weeks off and am due to fly back out next Monday, so it will be nice if I can see them get married.

"To be honest, though, we just want them home. It has been horrendous."