New;y-weds Phil and Jill Wyndham were stunned to find a surprise guest mingling at their wedding - their horse Ned.

The horse-lovers were stunned when the 18-year-old animal arrived at the church to see the pair tie the knot.

The wedding surprise had been arranged as a special present for the couple, although the person behind the plot is still a mystery.

Mrs Wyndham, 60, of Church End, Panfield, who has owned the cob for ten years, said: "Thankfully Ned didn't misbehave and I think other guests were pleased to see him.

"He caused a lot of interest - there were several horse-lovers among the guests and it was a very happy occasion. I was more than surprised and a little overwhelmed to see Ned standing at the gate.

"A lot of work had gone into making sure he looked the part."

Mr and Mrs Wyndham were classmates at the former Panfield school.

"Phil went to a different secondary school and then in later life moved to Australia, but we always managed to keep in touch," added Mrs Wyndham.

"He lived there for 30 years but came back regularly. He still has property out in Perth so we'll be dividing our time between here and there."

The wedding took place at St Mary and St Christopher Church, in Panfield. Afterwards the couple left for a five-day honeymoon - at the Burghley horse trials, in Lincolnshire.

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