MOST brides are happy to arrive at the church in a gleaming Rolls Royce or vintage car.

But steam buff Kerry Hirst wanted a wedding with a difference and decided to make a unique – if not particularly fast – journey to the ceremony.

Villagers turned out in force to watch the 24-year-old support worker trundle past their homes in a steam-driven lorry.

Kerry drove the vehicle herself - and managed to pull off a minor miracle by arriving at the church without a single smut on her dress.

Originally from Winsor in the New Forest, she married James Antell, 27, in a ceremony that left everyone chuffed.

She said: “We’ve both been interested in steam all our lives.

“I went to the wedding in a Foden steam lorry, using a lot of sheets to cover the dirty bits, and left in a Wallis and Stevens steam roller.

“It was a fantastic day - all a bit unusual. I could have gone in a car but that would have been a bit boring.”

Her uncle, Mark Hirst, of Marchwood, said: “Kerry has been driving steam engines them since she was about five years old and is very much part of the steam scene.

“She drove herself to the church in a 1929 vehicle owned by her grandmother, Jean Hirst, with her three bridesmaids sitting on the back.”

Describing the eye-catching event as “country shabby chic” Mark added: “Kerry drove through the village at 10-12mph and took about ten minutes to reach the church.

“A good crowd turned out to watch – and everyone was amazed by the fact that she managed to keep her dress absolutely smut-free.”

Kerry arrived safely at the church after setting out from a house owned by James’s grandmother.

Cameras at the ready, spectators waved and cheered as she manoeuvred the 86-year-old lorry through the narrow streets.

The bride and groom, who have known each other for about five years, later left the church in a 100-year-old vehicle owned by James’s family.

Mark added: “Kerry was steering and James was operating the throttle.

“Having arrived at the church in a steam engine owned by her family she and left in one owned by her new family, which was a nice bit of symbolism.”

The wedding was held in the Dorset village of Shillingstone, where the couple live and work.

It was followed by a reception at historic Shillingstone House, owned by Sir Michael and Lady Caroline Salt.

The house, which dates from 1879 and has been occupied by the Salt family since the Second World War, is a popular wedding venue.

Mark added: “The reception included a mini steam rally with its own beer tent. Many types of cider were also partaken.”