Nicola's race against time

A bridal shop had a race against time to get a dress ready in just 24 hours. Bride Rachel Hunt flew in from Australia with just two days to go to her big day - and the most important aspect of it still to sort out.

Having made an appointment with The Wedding Shop in St John's Street, Colchester, she had just one day to sort out her dress, shoes and tiara and get it altered and ready for the final fitting the- next day. Only a day later she headed up the aisle. Nicola Garton, manager of the St John's Street shop, said it was extremely unusual for a bride to organise her dress in such a short space of time - and so close to the wedding.

"We have only ever done it once before, in 25 years of business. It is virtually unheard of. We have got people coming in already who are looking for their dresses but are not getting married until 2009. "The average is about a year," she said. Mrs Garton said her team were on standby to alter the dress, which was a major job as wedding dresses are so intricate it takes between two and three hours just to take up the hem.

"Rachel's mum had made the appointment and we knew the time scale. They were lucky because I don't know of many other shops that open between Christmas and New Year," added Mrs Garton. "She was very laid back. I don't know how she did it really as she also had a six week-old baby."

The happy couple, who married in the area as the bride's family are from Great Oakley, have now headed back to Australia.