A couple from Stroud celebrated their wedding on Saturday and became the first newlyweds at the town's register office since lockdown rules were eased.

Sam Baggaley, 34 and Sarah Cesek, 33 married on July 4.

Sam said: "The register office told us it was the first wedding they had done since lifting the restrictions and the only wedding in Stroud that day."

The couple had their wedding booked for a long time before the pandemic took hold, and had planned to celebrate their day with friends and family from further afield, which they were unable to do.

But they decided to go ahead with the wedding just with witnesses and their families, as well as the couple's two children, Eden and Maya.

"We were a bit apprehensive about the social distancing measures, but we had an amazing day, with beautiful people and a lovely small party to celebrate afterwards," said Sam.

"The sense of occasion wasn’t lost at all and although we maintained social distancing, it seemed to add to the specialness of it.

"It was the first time lots of us had celebrated for a long time, and we were sad to not have our families there, but we will renew our vows in a years time and celebrate with them then."