SOUTH Cheshire Bride of the Year Karen Webb had just three days to get used to the idea that she was in the running for the £1,000 prize package.

The 28-year-old bank cashier from Weston was taken aback by the news that a neighbour had entered her and fiance Gavin Collier for the competition.

"I didn't find out until Wednesday evening. It hardly had time to sink in and now I've had another shock - being picked as the winner," she said after the judges had made their decision.

The couple, due to marry on June 19 - the same day as Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones - pipped ten other super contenders to the title at the South Cheshire Wedding Fayre in Nantwich Civic Hall on Sunday.

Although Karen and Gavin (31) were worthy winners, the judging team had a tough time making a choice.

Runner-up was Michelle Latham of Southbank Avenue, Shavington who marries Darren Birchall at St. John's Church, Shavington on June 5.

Close behind in third place was Angela Green of Crewe who is marrying Craig Spencer on July 3 at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Crewe.

Karen and Gavin will be wed in Weston Parish Church where the bride's mum, Irene, is organist.

Her dad, Geoff, is the parish bellringer so neither parent was able to go along to the judging to give the youngsters some support until they had completed their duties for the morning services. But they turned up later to help the couple celebrate.

For the wedding Irene has already lined up a replacement organist and dad will be making sure that clangers have no place in the day's proceedings or his reception speech!

Karen, who works as a foreign cashier for Barclays Bank at Northwich, lives with mum and dad in Cemetery Road, Weston.

She decided that co-habiting before the wedding was not for her but will be moving into Gavin's batchelor pad in Rochester Crescent, Crewe, after the big day and a honeymoon in Lanzarote.

She'll then be sharing Gavin's home and affections with his 'crazy' springer spaniel, Brian.

"I suppose we've been a bit old fashioned. Most couples today seem to live together before they get wed. I was determined I wouldn't and that was just my own decision," said Karen.

The couple also share a love of cycling and walking.

"They are a lovely couple; very kind and caring. Karen lost her best friend and was really down in the dumps before teaming up with Gavin. Now she's back to her bright and bubbly self," said Mrs Marjorie Mason, who nominated her young neighbour.

"Karen and her family have been wonderful friends especially since the death of my husband. Nominating her was one way I felt I could pay them back," she added.

Because Karen and Gavin were already 'fixed up' with several features of the winning package a number of the prizes went to the couples in second and third place.

Runners up Michelle and Darren officially won a trip to the Lyceum with Rolls-Royce transport and Angela and Craig snapped up a bottle of champagne.

The GUARDIAN wishes to thank everyone who took part and the prize sponsors for their generosity.

Prizes came from Wedding Days of Castle, Northwich; Wendy Thornton Designer Bridal Wear, Burleydam; Clifford Platt suit hire; The Crown Hotel, Nantwich; Floral Occasions, Crewe; Celebration cakes, Nantwich; Poole Carriages; John Pass Jewellers; Busy Print stationers of Nantwich; Willaston photographer David Roberts; Just Nails, Nantwich; beauty therapist Karen; Elle Hat Hire; Reflection Balloons; Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council and Martin Lockett and Sons car hire.

The Wedding Fayre, the largest free entry event of its kind in South Cheshire, proved a great success for visitors and exhibitors.

Sharing the spotlight with the Bride competition were catwalk bridal fashion shows staged by Wedding Days of Castle.

The event was organised by Brian and Ann Looker of Cameo Printing.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.