A YOUNG man married the love of his life after first asking for her hand before a Tom Jones concert.

Sarah Pendleton, 31, Diggle's employee and Paul Ackred, 35, Night Control Room Operator said 'I do' amongst their closest family and friends.

The couple first met in December 30 2016 on a night out at the Kings Arms Pub in Barrow.

Sarah said: "My sister was going out with one of Paul's friends and neither wanted to go on their own so we were both invited on what was essentially a blind date."

After first meeting, Sarah said how struck she was by how 'handsome' Paul was.

She also described how 'shy' he was, but also how this was something they both share.

Both would say they have many other things in common.

One of these being how they share the same family values and how much they enjoy the 'quiet life' and travelling at the weekend into the Lakes.

Paul would also describe Sarah has 'kind, loving, caring and bubbly.'

A few days after first meeting Sarah then asked Paul out for a coffee date at Costa Coffee.

The couple then got engaged on June 30 2017.

Paul asked for Sarah's hand before heading to a Tom Jones concert at Cartmel.

Sarah said: "I was shocked, surprised and just so happy."

The next big step for the couple was the birth of their beautiful baby son, who they named Samuel on July 8 2018.

Sarah also has two children from a previous relationship called Jaiden, 9 and Eva, 7.

The birth of Samuel as well as Jaiden and Eva have really helped the couple settle into family life.

The couple are now currently based on Lord Roberts Street in Walney.

The couple then happily tied the knot on August 22 2019.

Their ceremony was held at Barrow's registry office and their reception was held at Furness Cricket Club.

Sarah said: "The whole day was really good - everything was great".

Both described how 'nervous' they felt on the day, however when they were pronounced man and wife all their nerves 'melted away'.

There was 60 of their closest family and friends during the day with another 40 joining in celebrations in the evening.

Guests were treated to a buffet during the day and then pizza and potato wedges in the evening.

An acoustic singer and DJ also entertained guests. The couple would like to offer thanks to everything who came to celebrate on their special day.

After a four-day honeymoon in Alcúdia, a town in the north of the Spanish island of Majorca, the couple are now looking forward to married life together.

The couple would like to offer special thanks to everyone at Furness Cricket Club. They would also like to thank Dovecote Weddings Cars for providing the Rolls-Royce. They would also like to offer a special thanks to both their parents and extended family for all their generosity, with a special mention to Paul's mum Karen for the amazing wedding cake. Lastly, they would like to thank the wedding photographer Rebecca Elizabeth Smith (www.rebeccaelizabethsmithphotography.co.uk).