A SURPRISE wedding ceremony left guests at a Merseyside Christening speechless.

Family and friends of Paul and Heather Walker travelled from Scotland, Dubai and Ireland to see their children, 18-month-old Tess and three-month-old Annie-Lou, Christened.

What they didn’t know as they filed into St Mary’s church in Wirral, is that they were about to attend a wedding as well.

Paul’s mum Mary Stead, from Southport, said: “After the christening the Reverend said that Paul had a few words to say and he went over to Heather’s father Steve and asked, ‘Can I take your daughter’s hand in marriage?’

“They weren’t engaged so we were all thinking he was about to propose to Heather.

“But then Paul said, ‘I’m glad you’ve agreed because otherwise you’d have scuppered our plans. We’re getting married now.’

“I started crying. The Reverend said she had the best view because she could see all our faces.”

Paul and Heather had been secretly planning their big day for three weeks without telling anyone, except Rev Beth Glover.