FIVE married couples will be renewing their vows on the same day in Bournemouth this weekend.

The Days Hotel Marsham Court, Russell Cotes Road, launched a competition to award five lucky couples the chance to have a second go at their wedding days – which will all take place on Sunday at the hotel’s garden wedding pagoda overlooking the sea.

The ceremonies will include bucks fizz, flowers, a cake, photography and a sea view room with dinner and breakfast.

The hotel’s general manager and director, Rosie Wallace, said she had been bowled over by the number of entries and that it had been difficult to choose just five winners.

She added: “Amongst our winners we have a couple who met during a car breakdown and even used a breakdown truck for their wedding transport.

“We also have a bride whose mother missed her original wedding this summer, so her renewal will be especially poignant.”

Peter and Clare Kendrick entered the competition after their original wedding on June 28 this year was blighted when loved ones were caught up in the French air traffic control strikes.

Clare, a shop manager, said: “At the time of our wedding my nan was visiting my mum in Spain and they were prevented from getting to us because of the strikes.

“Winning this competition will not only mean we will finally have wedding photos with them on, it will be all the more special because my nan has terminal cancer and this will be such a wonderful day for her.”

The other couples include Gareth and Natalie Down from Weymouth, Gordon and Alli Wallis from Bournemouth, Mike and Lucy Relf from Poole and Nigel and Linda Toohey from Bournemouth.