A soldier who proposed from the frontline during the height of the Iraqi war has exchanged vows with his childhood sweetheart.

Corporal Adam Holmes, 31, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, penned his undying love to Caroline Nesbitt the night before he pushed into Iraq from Kuwait with the 187 (Tancred) Company.

Cpl Holmes is a member of 23 Pioneer Regiment (Royal Logistics Corps), based in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

He later asked for her hand in marriage in front of millions of television viewers.

Miss Nesbitt accepted his proposal and the couple married on Saturday at St James' RC Church, Mill Lane, Hebburn, in front of family and friends, including 11 servicemen.

Cpl Holmes, dressed in full military uniform, said: "It is just the kind of day that I imagined when I wrote the letter all those months ago. Caroline looks absolutely stunning."

Mrs Holmes, 28, said: "It has been a great turnout and the weather is lovely.

"We couldn't have asked for more."