LOVE and marriage go together like a..... bus! Well, they do for newlywed Kirsty Ainsworth, who shunned the traditional horse and carriage and instead hopped on the number ten single decker to Macclesfield Register Office.

Dressed in a full-length white beaded satin wedding dress, the "rushing bride" swapped the 'ding dong' church peal for the 'ping' of the bus bell - "just to be different".

Kirsty strolled from her mum's house on Princess Drive to the Kingsway bus stop with bridesmaid and best friend, Lyndsey Williamson, 21, and patiently waited.

As wedding guests slid into the seats of their cars, Kirsty became a ticket to bride after she jumped on the bus and splashed out £3.20 for two to Macclesfield Bus Station.

And then walking slowly down the aisle - the first of the day - she grabbed hold of a standing rail so as not to crease her gown as the bus rumbled along the five mile 20-minute route into town.

The bussing bride, 24, of Kingsway, Bollington, who married her Spanish sweetheart, Javier Pascual, chuckled after her big day: "I just wanted to do something a bit unusual and have a day to remember.

"I did get a few beeps, some waves and quite a lot of funny looks while I waited for the bus and I was a bit worried because it was ten minutes late - but then that is a bride's prerogative."

Meanwhile, after mum Karen, 44, and her one-year-old daughter and flower girl, Kyra, waved her off they simply drove into town.

Andrew Barnett, duty officer at the Bus Station, said: "I can honestly say I have never heard of a bride getting on one of our buses!"

As for groom Javier - he simply strolled to the sunflower-strewn register office.

He added later: "I think it was a great idea, and really typically Kirsty. That's why I love her."

After the service, Kirsty - who was wearing multi-coloured stripey socks - and new husband Javier posed for photographs at the Bollington Recreation ground, where they were snapped on the swings and roundabout before heading to the Cock and Pheasant for a few drinks.

And then more than 100 friends and family headed for Mykita, on Snape Road, for a buffet and boogie.

Kirsty chuckled: "Our first song was Macarena with all the actions. It was so funny, I literally spent the whole day laughing!"

Kirsty met Javier, a Shrigley Hall Hotel barman, two years ago when he was working at the Bridge Hotel - and the wheels of love were immediately set in motion.

The lovebirds defied convention long before the bus journey with an unusual proposal.

Kirsty added: "Javier proposed when we were in Stockport one day. I was busy chasing pigeons and when I turned round he was on one knee!

"And my wedding is a great story to tell the grandchildren - it will certainly add a twist to The Wheels on the Bus song!"