Bride stranded after breaking down on way to wedding

A bride was stranded on the side of a busy dual carriageway when the vintage car driving her to the church broke down.

However, Lydia Evans-Hughes, 29, managed to make it to the church almost on time when a passing police officer stopped to give her a lift.

Evans-Hughes was spotted on the side of the A55 near Chester last Friday with parents Yvette and Alan Fletcher.

Dressed head-to-tow in a flowing white gown, Evans-Hughes feared she would miss her own wedding, but her blushes were spared when Inspector Matt Geddes pulled over to offer her carriage to the church.

Partner Tidur Evans-Hughes, 31, was waiting at St Mary's Church in Eccleston, when his fiancée arrived in a police car with its blue lights flashing.

Lydia, of Wrexham, North Wales, said: "[The car] was fine for the first five miles – then it just gave up the ghost.

"I was worried I'd have to climb over the crash barrier and be left stood at the side of the road.

"[The police] saw it was a wedding car and offered us a lift. That was the first time in the day that I had tears of relief."

Civil servant Evans-Hughes said Insp Geddes asked how much of an entrance we wanted to make.

She said: "My dad said a big one so he put on the blues and twos."

"Because of how fast it all happened and how promptly they turned up I wasn't very late at all – you couldn't have planned it better," she said.

"I'm just incredibly happy. All in all it did go brilliantly."

The Evans-Hughes' had already had their wedding delayed twice due to the COVID pandemic.

The bride added: "The fact we were finally able to have our day and everyone was able to be there is just priceless. It was such a lovely ending.

"The most incredible and sincere thanks to the police. Without them what would we have done?"

Insp Geddes, of North Wales Police, said: “I was glad to have been of help.

"The slightly unusual arrival brought about some smiles following what must have been a stressful situation, being stuck at the side of a busy A55 is not nice at the best of times.

"The bride looked beautiful, the sun was shining and she was only a little late. I hope the couple have a wonderful day and a long and happy life together.”

Police also posted about the incident on Twitter, including a photo showing the stranded bridal party at the side of the road.

Traffic Wales wrote: “The course of true love never did run smooth…

"Our traffic officers arrived on scene this afternoon to help assist a bride in a broken down vehicle!

“We removed the vehicle while @NWPolice gave her a lift to the ceremony. Wishing the bride & groom all the best!”