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BUILDER Mark Wilsher got a surprise when the shining limousine he expected would take him to his wedding turned out to be a digger.

Mark, 34, of Wixoe, near Haverhill, married Lorraine Montgomery at the Bull Hotel. in Long Melford on Sunday.

Workmates at his building firm decided he should travel in style in a body-waxed digger decorated with ribbons, rather than a fancy limousine.

Mark had no idea about the unusual mode of transport due to pick him up from the home of best man Mark Ogelsby, at Ash Walk, Stradishall.

Nick Parsons, one of the team of builders who hatched the plan, said the gang were confident their boss would see the joke.

"The digger was cleaned up really well and we put on a few ribbons," said Nick.

"They have both got a good sense of humour and would see the joke. We hope to get Lorraine for a spin in it as well."

Bride-to-be Lorraine was let in on the plan at the last minute and enjoyed the joke.

"I thought it was brilliant," she said. He loves to have a good laugh.

"They wanted me to get in it, but I did not have my dress on and I did not want Mark to see me before I took my vows."

Mark admitted he had no idea how he was getting to the ceremony, but, knowing his best man, he suspected it could be something crazy.

"There were a lot of people outside the house and I knew something was going on," he said.

"When I saw the JCB coming round the corner, I didn't think there would be much building work going on on a Sunday.

"It took us about 40 minutes and it was a bit bumpy but we had some beer in the cab. I thoroughly enjoyed it and we had people waving and out videoing us all along the way.

"I did warn them just to be careful, as the payback will be very sweet.