MOST brides dream of being taken to the church by a horse-drawn carriage on their special day.

But one Great Lever mum was taken to the service by a donkey named Jessica instead.

The family of Jennifer Court organised the surprise as she tied the knot to her partner of nine years Tony Ormes at the Stables Country Club in Bolholt Country Park Hotel.

Father-of-the-bride Mike Court came up with the plan as his uncle, Jack Court, used to run the fairground and donkey rides in Moss Bank Park.

They spent many a happy summer getting donkey rides in the Smithills greenery.

Mr Court, aged 66, said: “Jennifer was really surprised. She didn’t know a thing beforehand.

“We hid the donkey around the corner so she couldn’t see it. When she did see it there was a big ‘Oh my God!’

“My uncle Jack was well known in Bolton, he was known as the ‘donkey man’ and he was featured in The Bolton News when he died.

“Because of the connection there’s always been a standing joke about us having donkeys in the family.”

The new Mrs Ormes, who has just set up a new letting agents in Harwood, said she was surprised to be greeted by a donkey on her wedding day.

The mother of three — whose twin sons William and Oliver, aged two, and Lauren, aged 13, were paige boys and flower girls — said: “I didn’t really know what had been planeed.

“My dad told me he would sort out the travel so I thought it would be a car.

“It was a good surprise. I remember as a kid going to Moss Bank Park and also the fairs to get free donkey rides.

“After the ceremony we had photos with the donkey and the children got to have a ride around the grounds.”