Preston couple get a surprise drive-by on their wedding day

Lauren Blease and Chris Ackroyd, of Hutton, were due to be married at Mitton Hall in Clitheroe earlier this month.

But the big day had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, their family and friends were determined the couple should not miss out on the long-awaited occasion and secretly organised a drive-by past their house.

Some 16 vehicles in all took part - with neighbours joining in, too.

Lauren, 31, who originates from Manchester, and Chris, 43, who comes from Leigh, got engaged in 2011 and had been looking forward to their wedding day so much.

So when Covid-19 struck and the wedding was cancelled, it was a bitter blow.

But the amazing drive-by gesture certainly made up for some of the disappointment.

“It (the wedding) was supposed to be on Thursday and we had to move it, so everyone made a bit of a fuss - it was a bit of a surprise,” said Lauren, who works as a telesales manager for her stepdad’s till roll manufacturing business.

“Leading up to Thursday it was all a bit emotional. We had a holiday booked. It was just a kick in the teeth.”

But little did she know that plans were in place for the drive-by, although folk were acting a little suspiciously.

“Mum kept saying, how are you feeling about Thursday, are you sad, I’ll come round,” said Lauren. We’ve only lived in the house for a year and still have some champagne, so I said come round we’ll have that.”

The mum of three said the kids were acting a bit strangely, too.

But it all began to unfold when an afternoon tea was organised in the kitchen and mum came up with a bridesmaid’s dress for one of the children.

Lauren added: “They set up the kitchen with afternoon tea with champagne, they’d got little place settings. They said close your eyes and go into the kitchen. It was dead sweet.

“Fifteen minutes later mum said you need to go outside.”

Lauren could not believe it when her stepdad drove past with her grandmother.

“It was just surreal,” said Lauren.

The vehicles did a couple of laps past the house, on one occasion raising glasses to the couple. The wedding has been rearranged for August at the same venue.