STEPH and Kevin Shipley stage managed a honeymoon with a difference . . . choosing to spend it with a group of 13 people.

The pair put themselves under the spotlight as part of a Bolton Little Theatre trip to California.

When the couple from Smithills put their names down -- separately -- for the trip to America, travelling with the show Dancing at Lughnasa, they had no idea it would end up being their honeymoon.

Manager

Steph, a project manager for Auto Trader's Internet Division, has been a member of the theatre for about 10 years, and met Kevin, a health and safety manager, when he joined after moving into the area from Birmingham.

But it was only when Kevin was stage manager to a production of Shakers, in which Steph was appearing, about a year ago, that they got to know one another.

The couple were married on August 11, at Halliwell Methodist Church, Bolton, and left with their fellow cast members for America one week later. Steph said: "We never thought when we put our names down separately for the play that the trip would end up our honeymoon.

"We did not mind too much though because it was such a good play and we enjoyed performing in it.

"But yes, travelling with 13 other people did add another dimension to the honeymoon.

"California was fantastic. We all stayed with families in Lodi. The mother and daughter we stayed with knew we had just got married and we had a pretty cottage to stay in. They looked after us really well.

"There were three performances of the play but we did still manage to slope off on our own from time to time."

Before returning home the couple, both in their early forties, took a second week to themselves, travelling more than 2,000 miles in a convertible car across California.

Members of BLT group received an official welcome from the Mayor of Lodi, and received rave reviews in local press.

The invitation to appear had come from the Lodi Arts Commission who played host to the Bolton party. CALIFORNIA TRIP: The honeymoon group from Bolton Little Theatre