A BRIDE forwent a traditional mode of wedding transport on her big day in favour of a 1975 artillery tractor.

Katie Janes, from Southbourne, travelled to nearby St Katharine’s Church with her father, Peter Ryder, who collects ex-army vehicles.

The 33-year-old said she and husband Adam, 35, both thought it would be a fun idea, with the unusual vehicle, which was parked outside Marsham Court Hotel the night before her wedding, attracting a lot of attention from passers-by.

“It got a lot of looks. There was a great reaction to it. The wedding coordinator told me how many people were taking photos of it outside the hotel,” she said.

“My dad has always been into military vehicles so, for me, it was normal.

“That’s why I chose the artillery tractor to take me to the church on my wedding day, because my dad was giving me away and it personified him.”

Katie, who works at LV, said a few minor adjustments were made to make the heavy-duty truck suitable for her wedding day.

“Dad’s got several military vehicles, but this one is the most roadworthy and had the bigger windows. It’s a very tall vehicle so dad had to make some steps for me to climb into it. Inside the truck was fairly spacious – there were five seats at the back. We jazzed it up a bit inside and put in a new carpet and painted a few bits.

“We put some organza sashes and bows around and also some flowers. We couldn’t make it look too pretty – it is what it is – but it was lovely, and the guests thought it was good too.

“It was a 20 minute drive from the hotel to the church. The truck was fairly nippy, which I didn’t expect, and had no problem keeping up with my bridesmaids in the car in front.”

Katie, who described her wedding day as “just perfect”, added her transport after the ceremony was a slightly more luxurious Cadillac.