A FAMILY wedding trip resulted in a comedy of errors, starting with half the party being left behind on the platform as the train pulled away and ending with the groom's mother stripping off in the street.

Ashley Wray, of Firthmoor, Darlington, booked a party of 11 on to the 7am Darlington to Manchester train on Saturday to attend her nephew's wedding in Chorley.

But when they boarded the train, staff told them they were in the wrong carriage and to get off the train and walk to standard class.

Half the party walked through the train, but others got off to walk down the platform, only for the train to pull away, leaving some of the party, including Miss Wray's 12-year-old daughter, stranded.

Those who were still on the train got off at Leeds and the party was reunited, but their connecting train to Manchester was delayed and they ended up arriving at the wedding with minutes to spare, after taking taxis from the railway station.

Miss Wray said: "We arrived at 11.55, with five minutes to spare, and we all had to get changed into our wedding outfits. We were so late the mother of the groom actually had to get changed in the street in Chorley."

Miss Wray is now writing to Arriva Trains Northern to complain.

Peter Limbert, regional director of Arriva trains, apologised to Miss Wray and her family, and urged them to contact the company so that an investigation could be launched.

He said: "We are committed to providing the levels of service our customers expect and deserve and would apologise to this lady and her family for the inconvenience caused."