Jamie Crook thought he was being dragged to a boring dinner and dance last Friday night.

Instead his scheming fiancee had planned not only a surprise 30th birthday but their wedding, too.

Gemma Tetlow, 28, had arranged for them to be married in front of 180 guests, all of whom had been sworn to secrecy.

Their family, friends and work colleagues knew everything - Jamie knew nothing.

Everyone arrived at 7.30pm, at Lordswood Leisure Centre, and Gemma told Jamie they were just going to show their faces at a friend's party, before going to the dinner and dance.

But the twist he didn't know about was that she had booked a registrar to arrive at 7.45pm, to marry them.

Gemma said: "I was talking about his birthday with my best friend Zoe Devonport and I said it would be nice to arrange a surprise birthday party for him.

"We've been together for 10 years and have two boys. We always said we'd get married, but something always got in the way. Then Zoe said it would be fantastic to organise a surprise wedding too - and that's exactly what I did."

She arranged, with the help of Zoe and others, every detail of the couple's big day.

Gemma said: "Zoe's husband Scott is Jamie's best friend too, so he was the best man.

"As soon as we arrived at the centre he realised it was a surprise birthday party, but then I got on the stage and asked over the microphone if he want to get married.

"His face was a picture, he was so shocked. I told him he had 10 minutes, while I got into my wedding dress."

The couple, who live in Lordswood, were married with a bridesmaid and page boys and their children Harry, eight, and Thomas, seven, holding the cushions with their wedding rings.

Jamie said: "I was absolutely gobsmacked. I knew nothing about it. I was so shocked but delighted. It turned out to be the best night of my life."

The couple plan to take a honeymoon to Paris early next year.