FORMER Prime Minsters Theresa May, John Major together with television presenters were among the "who's who" list to congratulate a Bolton couple on their wedding day ­— with Paul Burrell, the royal butler to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, gifting a watercolour he painted of the church they were wed in.

Fabian Lord and Marie Gooljar received a plethora of well-wishes and congratulatory letters from some famous quarters which were read out during the celebrations.

Fabian, who lives in Heaton, had organised a number of surprises for the big day ­— which also involved the local air cadets.

He said: "It was difficult trying to keep secrets from the bride and others and not being able to spill the beans about the many surprises throughout the service."

A detachment of 1471 (Horwich) squadron of the air cadets travelled to the church, 13th century St Oswald’s Church in Knutsford to provide a Guard of Honour during the service ­— and firing of 12 confetti canons at the end of the service.

And the final words of the groom’s reading triggered a flashmob with a special performance of the Les Miserables classic ‘One Day More’.

Best man, the groom’s son, Montgomery Lord recited The Lord’s Prayer in the ancient language of Aramaic.

Fabian had also booked a chimney sweep ­— Andrew Smith of Smith`s Chimney Sweeping in Chorley ­— ­who greeted the couple as they left church for as tradition goes, a kiss from a passing chimney sweep is supposed to confer luck on the happy couple.

Marie said: “The vintage wedding car drove us along the narrow cobbled street and as it turned the corner to face the church, I knew this wouldn’t be a normal service as I first caught glimpse of the air cadets lining the pathway on both sides. It felt very special. I just about managed to hold it together during the surprise musical performances. I’d imagine a lot of women dream of a white wedding from an early age. I couldn’t have dreamt of this one with all its surprises. It was far outside the realms of imagination.”

Among those to offer their congratulations were former Prime Ministers John Major and Theresa May, HM Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, the Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, MP Kenneth Clarke and former MP Michael Portillo, the Constable of HM Tower of London, Windsor Herald from the College of Arms, Field Marshall The Lord Guthrie, a couple of presenters from ITV’s This Morning and the Pearly King and Queen of Tower Hamlets in London.

Fabian said: "We've both had diverse careers and this has brought us into direct contact with a lot of the well-wishers.

"A lot of them come from my military background and various things that I've taken part in. Paul Burrell, who has become a close friend of the family over the years, painted us this wonderful painting of the church also."

He added:"The Best man actually read the letters out during his speech and we had to cut him off because I don't think the guests thought it was real. They were a great surprise to both the bride and I.

"To receive these letters was such a surprise and a great honour for both Marie and I. It was funny but it did take a while convincing the guests that the letters were actually real."