BRIDEGROOM Matthew Watson began married life on the right tracks by arriving for his wedding on a steam train.

Matthew, who lives in Ramsbottom, and Amy tied the knot at St Paul's Church in Ramsbottom after five years of dating. Matthew decided to break with tradition by foregoing the Rolls Royce for the train on the East Lancashire Railway.

Amy said: " Matthew decided he would arrive by steam train for several reasons. His dad has a love of trains and has spent his whole career involved in the railway industry. I think as a consequence, Matthew - not a train spotter by any stretch of the imagination - has always liked trains and enjoyed travelling by train. It was partly for the novelty factor as there aren't many places that have a steam railway station and we thought it would be really nice to make the most of what we have in Ramsbottom. My only worry was that it might break down!"

Matthew was joined on the train by best man Chris Rodgers, ushers Jon Grove, Graham Watson and Ross Williamson, and his dad, Keith Watson. Amy (29), daughter of Melanie Lee who lives in Tenerife, walked down the aisle in an ivory dress with crystal and pearl detail. She was given away by her uncle, Stuart Lee.

The role of bridesmaid went to Amy's sister, Amelia, who introduced the couple in November 2000 at a house-warming party.

The wedding party enjoyed a reception at The Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors.

Matthew (27), son of Helen and Keith Watson from Canterbury, proposed to solicitor Amy last year at the top of Table Mountain on the first day of a holiday in South Africa.