WHEN Kearsley businesswoman Joanne Lee was planning her wedding to Chris Kearns she wanted to get married in the park - Central Park, New York.

And the result for the 27 year-old recruitment consultant with Bolton firm Linda Taylor Associates was a fairytale wedding.

"I had always fancied visiting Central Park although I had never been to America," she explained.

"So when we arranged to visit friends in Boston, we decided to make inquiries about getting married in New York during the trip. And I was delighted to find out we could get married in the park."

Virgin Holidays did all the planning, and Joanne and long-time boyfriend Chris, aged 31, arranged the licence through City Hall.

The couple married in Shakespeare's Garden in the greenery of the Big Apple's most famous park, with relatives and friends from the Bolton and Swinton area watching. "It was just wonderful," said Joanne. "The weather was warm, the place was fabulous and the New Yorkers were so nice to us."

Joanne's boss Linda Taylor was among the guests, and the company's chairman, Kate Taylor Shaw, was bridesmaid.

A meal at the Park's Tavern on the Green restaurant followed before Joanne and Chris travelled to Florida for a romantic break.