A weekly assistant editor tied the knot with his girlfriend despite their original reception venue being flooded.

David Lindsell, assistant editor of the Surrey Comet, married Claire-Marie Doran earlier this month.

The couple had to change their wedding plans after their original choice of reception venue, the Burford Bridge Hotel in Box Hill, was deluged by flooding over Christmas.

A tithe barn at Loseley Park, near Godalming doubled up as a last-minute replacement for the 120 guests who included Comet editor David Rankin.

However as the South continue to battrle the worst floodes since 1968 the day was not without its problems

Some guests at the wedding had to hastily move their vehicles during the church service after rising waters filled the car park next to the River Mole, while band members who had arrived earlier in the day had to wade ankle-deep to their cars.

However heating inside the 12th century St Andrew’s Church, Cobham, which had previously been damaged by flooding, was restored in time for the day.

Said David: “Seeing your reception venue sink beneath the waves was a gloomy way to start Christmas but despite the weather we had a wonderful day with fantastic support from friends and family to make a very special day.”