WHEN an 18-tonne skip lorry turned up at Clint Young's house to take him to church on his wedding day, he could not have been more delighted.

Mr Young, who used to work on the vehicles for a living, said the surprise organised by his wife-to-be Amanda was "amazing".

And it was a double celebration as he turned 60 on the same day.

Mr Young, of Mickleover, said: "I thought I was going to the church in a car with my friends, I had no idea.

"I was so pleased, it was amazing."

The groom said the two celebrations were planned to coincide so he could reminisce later on in life about his memorable day.

"When I get older I want to look back at the special occasion and think about how I spent my birthday," he said. "I'll never forget it."

Mr Young worked as a compositor at the Derby Telegraph for 12 years before going on to work on skip lorries in a job involving property maintenance.

"It was the nature of my business and I enjoyed it a lot," he said.

He is now a self-employed painter and decorator.

He travelled in the skip lorry all the way to the Old Vicarage, in Branston, where married his partner Amanda Moore, 56, who he has known for 11 years.

Mr Young, of Portland Close, said: "This is my third wedding. They say third time lucky. Amanda organises everything, but she does allow me to breathe!"

Mr Young's brother Rodney was in on the plan and knew the groom would be extremely pleased.

The 66-year-old, of Long Eaton, said: "I thought he would be surprised, he loves skips."

The skip lorry was delivered by Magfern Recycling, of Ascot Drive, Derby.

Employee Peter Groves, who drove the vehicle, said: "I have worked as a lorry driver for 15 years and I have never been asked to take someone to the church on their wedding day!"

Deborah Lofthouse, managing director of Magfern, said the company was pleased to receive the unusual request. She said: "We wanted to show that we work with the local community."

The newlyweds are planning a honeymoon in the Lake District.