SHEEP farmer Ruth Sparrow got more than she bargained for when she wanted a novel mode of transport to her wedding.

Instead of a sparkling limo, the 35-year-old bride turned up to Saturday's ceremony at Hilmarton Church on a brand new tractor, driven by the groom's dad, Geoff Manners.

And as soon as she was spliced, she hopped back on to the machine, with new husband Christopher Manners, to ride off to their reception.

The newly-weds run a sheep-breeding farm in Clevancy, near Calne. Both grew up in farming families and met when they were students at Lackham College, near Chippenham.

When Ruth said she was looking for an unusual way to get to the church, her father-in-law joked she should arrive on a tractor and volunteered to borrow one from a local dealer and she took him up on his offer.

The wedding, attended by more than 100 friends and family, also featured the traditional farming custom of an arch of pitchforks, which the couple walked under for luck.

The groom's sister, Charlotte Newth, said: "Ruth loved the idea of the tractor, because it so perfectly matched their backgrounds.

"Ruth sat on a special seat and looked beautiful in her dress.

"During the church service, two of her friends also sang All Things Bright and Beautiful and seeing them both ride off to their reception at Lackham afterwards, was brilliant."

The couple are now honeymooning in southern Ireland.