WHILE William and Kate held their marriage celebrations at Buckingham Palace, two couples in Bolton held their own wedding receptions in slightly more humble settings.

John and Karen Allen and Andrew and Karlina Cleworth were both married yesterday at Mere Hall.

Mr and Mrs Allen held their wedding reception at Farnworth and Kearsley Labour Club while Mr and Mrs Cleworth, celebrated at Horwich Cricket Club.

The Allens announced their own big day before the royal couple but were pleased when they realised the coincidence because it meant their guests did not have to take any time off work.

They tied the knot just after William and Kate, at 3pm yesterday.

While Kate arrived at Westminster Abbey in a Rolls Royce Mrs Allen, aged 46, rolled up to her wedding in a pink limousine.

Her new husband said: “Karen is my own princess and I’m very proud.

“When I proposed, Karen said she wanted a pink stretch limo, so that’s what she got.”

The couple, from Farnworth did things in the traditional way.

John proposed to Karen on one knee and the pair did not see each other the night before the wedding.

The happy couple have a 10-year-old son Jordan-Lee so will have a short honeymoon weekend city break in Liverpool.

Mr Allen, aged 57, said: “I don’t think of it as us having our wedding on the same day as them.

“They are having their wedding on the same day as us.”

After tying the knot, Karen added: “We’ve been able to watch bits of the royal wedding coverage throughout the day and I’m sure it will get a mention in the speeches.” Friends of Andrew and Karlina Cleworth have been joking the couple were trying to steal William and Kate’s thunder.

Mrs Cleworth, aged 33, from Horwich, said: “We wanted this day because it’s the day after Andrew’s 40th birthday.”

Mr Cleworth runs his own business and Mrs Cleworth is on maternity leave.

The couple had their first baby, Thomas, in October.

Mr Cleworth proposed to Karlina on Valentine’s Day last year and they will honeymoon in Majorca later this year.