A VICAR who has presided over dozens of weddings got to experience the other side of the ceremony as she married her partner in her own church.

Reverend Lissa Scott, formerly known as Lissa Gibbons, tied the knot on Saturday with her partner Nigel Scott following a whirlwind romance.

The pair exchanged vows at St Andrew’s Church, in Bolam, County Durham – one of the three churches Rev Scott oversees, including St Michael’s in Heighington and St Matthew and St Luke’s, in Darlington.

Although they have been friends for several years, Mr and Mrs Scott only became a couple in June last year and were engaged by August.

They decided to hold a winter wedding close to Christmas to ensure Rev Scott’s son, David, who lives in Spain, and Mr Scott’s brother, who works in Norway, were able to attend.

With three churches to choose from, St Andrew’s won out due to its small size and the Scotts’ desire for a quiet family wedding.

The couple were married by Rev Scott’s old friend Christine Hina, from the diocese of St Albans, and curate Barbara Hilton.

Rev Scott, 56, who has three sons, Michael, David and James, was given away by David and her neighbour and close friend Denis Beecroft, 91.

Mr Scott, 61, an adult education tutor at New College Durham, had two best men in his son Richard and friend Michael Alexander.

The reception was held at Walworth Castle with music provided by pianist Michael Mulroy, who agreed to perform at very short notice after the couple heard him play at a Boxing Day event.

Rev Scott said: “It was a wonderful day and a lovely winter wedding.

“We met through mutual friends about two years ago and we were on a pub quiz team together before ending up as a pub quiz team with just the two of us, which we won.

“Everyone has been so wonderful, the staff at Walworth Castle were just fantastic.”

Mr Scott will move to the vicarage in Heighington with Rev Scott and has joked that he will now be known as ‘the vicar’s wife’.

Mr and Mrs Scott will enjoy a short honeymoon in North Yorkshire and hope to travel to Iceland to see the Northern Lights next year.