County wedding's talk of the world

A Shropshire Star sales executive was at the centre of international media attention today after she tied the knot in a wedding costing just £51 from an internet auction site.

Colette Palin and partner Lee Clark got married on Friday after becoming the top bidders on eBay for a lavish wedding worth thousands of pounds.

The ceremony has caught the attention of media outlets around the world.

Pictures of the wedding at The Buckatree Hotel, Wellington, were featured as far away as the USA in The Boston Herald.

However, an interview last night with Radio Two DJ Chris Evans was scuppered when the battery on Colette's mobile phone went dead.

Colette, from Edgmond, near Newport, and Lee, made a first bid for the wedding of just £2.

When this was topped by another couple's offer of £50, she decided to beat it by another £1 and scooped the lavish celebration.

But their hopes of a wonderful day were dashed when the hotel double booked the date.

However, hotel management agreed to honour the initial deal, which included a three-course meal for 35 guests, buffet, wine and a full red carpet civil ceremony.

There will soon be another reason for the couple to celebrate because Colette has learned that she is expecting a baby.

"We didn't think it would be this soon but we are delighted," she said.