A pair of childhood sweethearts have married at a hospital bedside following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Mandy Helen Lucitt, 57, and Kevin McCarthy, 62, tied the knot on Oak Ward at Darent Valley Hospital yesterday.

The pair from West Kingsdown have been together for 42 years.

After receiving the news that Mandy's condition, pancreatic cancer, was deteriorating, a spectacular wedding was arranged within just 24 hours.

Friends and family rushed to source a ring that fitted and arrange a cake, flowers, balloons, wedding dress, and hair and makeup.

Relatives flew in from Ireland to attend the big day, which had originally been planned for Friday, April 27.

The couple have remained together throughout some testing times, which have driven Mandy's passion for fundraising.

Their son, Ryan, passed away from cot death in 1984, and in 2014 their four-year-old granddaughter Layla died after losing her battle with leukaemia.

Mandy has since raised money for Great Ormond Street Hospital, Demelza Hospice Care, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and ellenor hospice.

To date, she has raised £12,000 through raffles, walks and fun days.

Mandy said: "Fundraising is so important, especially for the children.

"I have always enjoyed raising as much money as I can."

Yesterday's ceremony was conducted by Janet Potter and Peter Tongue from Dartford Register Office.

Janet said: "Ceremonies such as these are always a priority for our office.

"We will always go above and beyond to ensure that a Registry of General Licence can be done straight away for such occasions."

Whilst Mandy has been too unwell to work with charities over the Easter period, her daughter Jessica has set up a fundraising page to encourage people to keep donating.

The page has already raised over £800 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.

To donate, click here

Mandy will now return home to be looked after by family.