THE power cuts brought by the bad weather had an unexpected effect on one Kendal couple set to get married - the service had to take place by candlelight.

Bride Gina Pennington, nee Yate, 31, and her then husband-to-be Dave, 35, were preparing for their perfect day at their chosen wedding location, Windermere Boat Club.

However, all did not quite go according to plan. Mrs Pennington said: "My husband got a frantic phone call (the morning of the wedding) to say don't panic, but there's no power at the boat club'."

The pair, who live on Kirkland, then scrabbled together hundreds of tea lights and altar candles with the help of their friends.

However, rather than spoil their day, Mrs Pennington, who is sales manager for Farrer's Wholesale, said the soft, glowing flames in every nook and cranny made the occasion all the more romantic.

"Loads of people said if the power comes on half-way through, it will be really disappointing!'"

Mrs Pennington, due to be in Prague with her husband for their honeymoon this weekend, said: "The only downside was that we didn't have enough light for a lot of photographs."