Old-fashioned transport saved the day for one bride and groom.

While many car drivers found themselves stranded in water up to the wheel arches, Christopher and Pamela Gale eased through the flooded streets of Sittingbourne on a horse and carriage.

The pair arrived for the reception at Hempstead House, London Road, Bapchild, bone dry thanks to side doors and windows and the driver putting the roof up.

But the same couldn’t be said for nine of their guests who were travelling on a second horse-drawn carriage.

Despite there being a canopy over the top, all of the passengers, including six bridesmaids and Mr Gale’s mother Eira, arrived with the bottom of their clothes soaked.

Mrs Gale, 38, of Hollingbourne Road, Twydall, said: “They stood for most of the journey because the water was coming in at the bottom.

“The staff at Hempstead House offered people towels and gave us half an hour for everyone to get dried before we carried on. It definitely gave us something to talk about.”

The heavens opened as soon as the couple finished having their pictures taken following the wedding ceremony at Hartlip Methodist Church on Sunday.

Mr Gale, said: “It was heavy rain by the time we got to Newington. We went along the A2 which looked like a river down to Key Street roundabout, but we couldn't go along St Michael’s Road.

“The road was flooded and there were cars that had broken down. It was about 4ft deep in water so you couldn't see the wheels of the cars.”

There was drama prior to the service when the husband-to-be realised he’d forgotten two important items.

The 35-year-old, who runs Circus Barbers in Tankerton, added: “We got to Faversham when my best man said ‘have you got the rings?’.

“I thought he had them so we had to turn around and go back to my flat which is above the shop and get them.”

The delay meant his bride-to-be had to hide behind the church until he arrived.

She added: “I thought he might be trying to pay me back for being an hour late on our first date!”