Ref. 30817-66IT'S not only in fairy tales that Prince Charming arrives on his white charger to sweep his beautiful bride off her feet.

Bobby Chawla plans such an entrance when he marries his fianc Rekha Kumar in what is believed to be the first fully traditional Hindu wedding in the Swindon area.

They have decided to celebrate their nuptials with all the pomp and spectacle of an Indian ceremony where it is customary for the groom to arrive on a horse.

Bobby, who lives in Abbey Meads and works for Thames Water, said: "I am a bit nervous about riding a horse. I have never done it before but I am sure it is going to be a good experience.

"The wedding will be something we'll be proud of. We wanted to follow the Hindu tradition but have the wedding here not in India because it would mean more friends and family could be with us.

"I imagine the wedding procession will turn a few heads. It won't be something you see every day."

The 32-year-old met Rekha, of Grange Park, at the wedding of his best friend's sister a year ago and he popped the question last October.

Rekha, 21, who works as a customer advisor at Nation-wide, will wear a red lenga an ornate dress as well as have her hands and feet decorated with henna.

She said: "You grow up thinking you'll have a wedding like this. It's every girl's dream to be the centre of attention on her big day.

"I think it will be a very special day."

The couple will have a register office wedding in Swindon on June 19 and the religious ceremony on June 27 at the Lime Kiln Leisure Centre in Wootton Bassett which 500 people are expected to attend.

A brass band as well as traditional drum players will lead the wedding procession from Wootton Bassett police station car park.

Guests will make their way to the hall by dancing in front of Bobby on his horse, with his two-year-old nephew Rahul riding behind his pageboy.

The couple will make their vows by taking seven steps around an altar of fire, with each symbolising a promise to stay together during seven lifetimes.

Bobby's brother Nicky, 31, got married in a similar fashion in India.

Their mother Phulan, 56, said: "We have been living in Swindon for the past 30 years and we have never known anyone to get married in this way.

"It's a shame we couldn't hire an elephant."

Bhavanni Vadde