WHEN a Little Lever nursery wanted to celebrate the Royal Wedding it came up with its own ‘marriage’ of convenience.

Maxine Philips, the owner of Jelly Babies Day Nursery, Chapel Street, knew precisely what to do given herself and husband Darren are celebrating their silver wedding this year.

And 25 years of wedded bliss offered the perfect opportunity for the pair to ‘renew’ their vows in front 53 youngsters who attended dressed as regal characters in colourful outfits.

Manager Claire Clarke said: “We decided to organise it because we knew about the up and coming Royal wedding and it was an ideal opportunity for all the children to dress up as kings and queens and help it chime with one of our topics of British values.

“The idea was to give the children and insight into weddings and we had all the flags and bunting out and held a garden party outside with sandwiches.”

The big moment arrived when both Maxine and Darren were called on to ‘renew’ their vows in front of the children and ‘registrar for the day, Claire.

“I said a few words and explained to the children that the Royal Wedding was a special wedding but we were going to have our own wedding with Maxine and Darren.

"Although I did warn the couple that we didn’t want them to be disappointed by anybody saying ‘no’!

She added: “We had a lovely time and then we danced about in our playground and it was such a wonderful occasion.”