THE Bolton Evening News has brought joy to an Aussie mum who could not travel to her son's wedding in Bolton because of a weak heart.

Linda O'Rourke, 48, who lives in an Outback town three-and-a-half hours from Sydney, was devastated when doctors warned her not to fly.

But thanks to the BEN, which sent pictures electronically, she will now be able to see a wedding report in her local paper in remote Cootamuntra.

She and husband Patrick, 48, could not attend the wedding of her professional cricketer son Michael, 24, to Bolton lass Lucy Cunliffe, 23, at Christ Church in Walmsley, Egerton, on Saturday because her heart has an irregular beat.

She missed a guard of honour formed with raised bats by fellow cricketers from Egerton and Greenmount cricket clubs on the church steps.

But the BEN has allowed Linda and Patrick, nicknamed Chook, to feel part of the celebrations after e-mailing photos and our report to their local paper the Coota Herald.

Mrs O'Rourke, who has an artificial heart valve, said: "It is a wonderful gesture. I was so disappointed to not be able to travel to Bolton. It has given me a real lift to read it in my local paper."

She added: "Lucy is a lovely girl and we are proud to have her in our family."

The newly-wed pair are spending their honeymoon in Paris before flying out to Australia to spend a week on the idyllic Gold Coast. Michael will then play cricket for a Sydney team and Lucy will take up a teaching post.

They will have a second "wedding" Down Under in December to allow Australian family and friends to celebrate.