BIRTHDAY boy David Whitelaw had no idea that hitting 40 would also mean the end of his bachelor days.

But he had reckoned without the plans of mischievous fiancee Michelle Cooper.

For Michelle had secretly colluded with family and friends to get him to tie the knot a year early by pretending they would be attending another couple's wedding on his birthday.

And yesterday, when David arrived at Richmond register office, in North Yorkshire, he found to his astonishment that far from merely watching proceedings, he was the groom.

He was amazed to walk through the doors and find that his mother, father, sister, brother-in-law and best friend had travelled down from Scotland and were waiting inside.

Soldier David, who serves with the Edinburgh-based Royal Scots, was then taken aside and told that the wedding he thought he was attending was pure fiction - and that this was his big day.

David, who popped the question to Michelle in Paris last New Year's Eve, said last night: "I was just dumbfounded and speechless. I had no idea but I'm very happy."

Michelle, 33, of Catterick Village, hatched the plan five weeks ago, deciding that she wanted to spring the surprise, instead of sticking to their plan to marry abroad next year.

Yesterday morning, she left him to enjoy what he believed was his only birthday present - a Sony PlayStation - while she headed for the hairdresser.

She said would meet him at the register office for the wedding of one of her friends and asked him to don his kilt for the occasion.

The bride joked: "When he arrived, we took him into the back room to explain what was happening - but we locked the door to make sure he couldn't get out!"