Taxi driver John Lewis's 50th birthday surprise left him dumbstruck.

His girlfriend arranged their whole wedding without telling him a thing.

Christine Harris set the date, invited the guests, bought the button holes, chose her outfit and even had the wedding cake made ready for the big moment.

And yesterday, on John's birthday, she sprung the surprise.

She sent him a birthday card which read on the outside: "To my husband on his birthday."

Perplexed John told her he was not her husband.

But she told him: "You will be by the end of the day!"

At 2.30pm John arrived at Colchester Register Office to cheers from the 50 guests and his best man David Cunningham, all of whom were in on the surprise.

Christine and John have been living together for nearly three years in Lexden, Colchester, and were engaged for much of that time.

But Pam Denman, John's sister, said her brother kept putting off the wedding day.

She said: "It was always going to be next year or soon. They just never got around to setting a date."

Friends and family sang an impromptu version of Happy Birthday to John, who drives for Colchester taxi company Micraline, as he went into the register office.

He laughed: "I haven't even said yes yet!"

And he added: "I couldn't believe it. I had no idea whatsoever. I'm terrified, really nervous, but I think it's great."

Christine, who was forced to try on her wedding outfit in the early hours after John had gone to bed, brushed away tears at the ceremony.

She said: "He got up early and went into work so I had to tell him there were some of his friends here wanting to wish him Happy Birthday, just to get him back.

"It was touch and go whether he would get back but he did - thankfully.

"I can't believe it is finally happening. It was terrifying - he hates surprises!"

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