TIMES past were celebrated in York this weekend as the owner of one of the city's Gothic shops celebrated her marriage in characteristic style.

Arriving in a black horse-drawn carriage decorated with flowers, Melanie Metcalfe and Matthew Thomson were married on Saturday at York Register Office. The bride, groom, bridesmaid and many of the family members and guests were decked in the distinctive Gothic style.

Melanie's mum, Jean, herself dressed in a black lace dress, said: "I am very proud of Melanie, she is a truly beautiful girl, and this is a wonderful day."

Melanie wore a purple and black medieval-style dress which she had spent months making herself, while Matthew wore a black, Victorian-style outfit.

Ursula Simpson, the bride's sister, said: "We are not surprised that Melanie is celebrating her wedding this way at all. Mel and I have been into Gothic culture for years, since it came round in the 1980s, and this is how she lives her life, so we would expect her to live her wedding day like it, too."

Melanie lives in Leconfield in East Yorkshire, but celebrated her marriage with Matthew in York, close to the business Melanie co-owns, the Gothic clothing shop Noctule in Gillygate.

Updated: 11:00 Monday, May 12, 2003