A COUPLE from Chippenham will enjoy a luxurious wedding thanks to the Wiltshire Times after winning £3,000 of vouchers to help with their big day.

Our wedding competition's live final was one of the attractions at the Wiltshire Times Wedding Fair at Bowood House Golf and Country Club on Sunday.

More than 1,000 people visited the stands and displays and enjoyed fashion shows designed to help them make the most of their big day.

Wiltshire Times sales and marketing manager Louise Keenan said the 12 finalists were invited to the Wedding Fair for the chance to win £3,000 of vouchers and luxury accommodation to spend on their wedding.

The top prize included an overnight stay for a party of people at the Luxury Queens Lodge at Bowood.

The competition was won by Samantha Way and her fianc Andrew Hawkins, of Cheltenham Drive, Chippen-ham, who plan to marry in June 2004.

Mrs Keenan said: "All 12 were given an envelope containing rings, and the one with the gold ring inside was the winning ticket.

"We were so nervous for them as they ripped open their envelopes because they had a massive audience."

Visitors to the fair were treated to two fashion shows hosted and choreographed by Faye Dancy from Wishing Well Gowns of Melksham, and exhibitors were over-whelmed with the bookings.

Wiltshire Times classified manager Lisa Wrintmore said: "There were 32 exhibitors, all of which had a successful day, because the people who came were serious about weddings and getting them organised.

"The event was packed all day, and we ran out of seats for all the fashion shows."

Main sponsor Bowood House said the event was so successful more wedding events have been promised for the future.

Karen Elson, sales and marketing manager at Bowood Golf and Country Club, said: "We were totally overwhelmed by the success of this event."