IT was a bitter-sweet day for North Yorkshire bride Paula Collins.

The happiest day of her life was also tinged with sadness as she left Selby Register Office and headed for Selby cemetery.

In a poignant tribute to her step-father, Andy Campbell, who died in a stabbing incident just over a year ago, Paula laid her wedding bouquet of white gerberis on his grave.

Dressed in black and white, Paula and her new husband, Stephen Liddle, 36, left their wedding guests to visit the cemetery alone.

Paula, 27, said later: "I missed Andy not being here. He would have given me away and this was my way of including him on my big day."

Father-of-two Andy, 40, of Hempbridge Close, Selby, was a part-time firefighter.

And as a mark of respect to him and his family, retained firefighters in full uniform formed a surprise guard of honour as Paula and Stephen walked out of the register office.

Paula told the Evening Press: "The guard of honour was the biggest surprise of a wonderful day.

"We've all shed a few tears, but we were determined it was going to be a happy day because that's what Andy would have wanted."

As a further tribute, Paula also pinned Mr Campbell's St William's Cross to her wedding dress.

Following the York Minster fire in 1984, all North Yorkshire firemen who complete their recruitment training are entitled to wear the cross.

Paula, who works at Fulton's frozen food store, in Selby, was given away by her brother, James, 22.

Mr Campbell's widow, Debbie, 42, said: "It's been a very emotional day. It's sad that Andy wasn't here to give Paula away but he was there in spirit."

The happy couple are now honeymooning in the Lake District.

Mr Campbell died in August last year during a row over children playing football in the street.

A jury at York Crown Court cleared mineworker Tom Richardson of both murder and manslaughter. They decided he acted in self-defence when his knife pierced Mr Campbell's heart.

Updated: 12:01 Monday, November 04, 2002