When Steph Gill married husband John 18 years ago everything went fine - except for one thing.

When it came to carrying his bride over the threshold John simply couldn't manage it.

She weighed 18st and admits she was just too heavy for him.

But now she has taken up running with the Sheppey Beginners2Runners club and, thanks to a gastric by-pass, is down to 10st.

So for the couple's anniversary on May 28 she retrieved her wedding dress from the loft, put it on and John swept her off her feet and carried her through their front door in Thistle Hill, Minster.

The mum-of-two said proudly: "Finally, after 18 years John was able to carry me over the threshold. So it was only right that I dressed appropriately, even though the dress was five sizes too big."

The pair met in a pub in Belvedere when Steph was a nanny living in Bexleyheath and working in Bromley and John, from Crayford, was working for BT.

They first set up home in Milton Regis near Sittingbourne and married at Borden parish church before moving to the Island.

Steph, 40, who is working from home, sorting out IT for key workers, said: "I was a size 20 and weighed 18st. But the heaviest I became was 22st.

"When I had my gall bladder removed in 2015 the consultant suggested I would benefit from weight-loss surgery and I was referred to King's Hospital in London. I'd already been part of the Swale weight-loss management programme and I was overall healthy so they agreed to take me on and removed 80% of my stomach.

"I was determined to ensure it worked so I enrolled with Beginners2Runners."

At the same time, John, 47, decided to get fit. He has completed the London Marathon and now wants to take part in a triathlon. He is doing weights to improve his upper body for the swimming section.

Steph added: "He's a lot stronger now but, even so, still probably couldn't lift an 18st bride.

"I had planned to hold a 'wedding dress' party for my 40th birthday but because of Covid-19 that didn't happen.

"John knew I'd always wanted to be carried over the threshold so he agreed to do it. But he didn't realise I was going to wear my wedding dress until the last minute.

"I was really nervous in case it had turned yellow. I hadn't seen it since I packed it away in its box 18 years ago.

"It was a little large but apart from that it was a great feeling. If it hadn't been for the coronavirus we probably would never have done it!"

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