Dode Church, Dode, covered in snow. File picture

by Danny Boyle

Every bride and groom dream of a white wedding - but the heavy snowfall nearly derailed one couple's big day.

Karen Rawlins, 42, and Jonathon Lee, 35, planned to tie the knot in the tiny village of Dode, near Meopham, on Friday afternoon.

But the pair, from Dartford, were on the brink of cancelling the ceremony because they and their guests had little chance of making it to the remote location, where eight inches of snow fell overnight.

That is until kind-hearted local 4x4 drivers stepped in to get them to the church on time.

Speaking on his way to the wedding on Friday, Jonathon said: "We've been overwhelmed by how people have come to our aid. It's been amazing and means so much to us.

"The snow also caused problems for us last night. I didn't get back from my stag do until 3am because I had to walk seven miles to where I was staying in Cobham as there were no taxis."

Mary Chapman, who owns the 900-year-old Dode Church with husband Doug, said Miss Rawlins had initially been excited about the snow.

She said: "She was looking forward to the prospect of having a white wedding, so it's great that things have worked out.

"Everyone seems to have pulled out all the stops to make it happen. I'm happy for them."