A FAIRYTALE same sex wedding at a Lake District hotel was interrupted by a visit from the fire brigade.

Angie Faulkner and Ali Luke, of Baycliff, near Ulverston, were getting ready for their big day at the Langdale Chase Hotel on Windermere when staff alerted them to a blaze.

A build up of tar in a fireplace sparked Monday's blaze and a fire engine with five crew members arrived on the scene to deal with the incident. They used a hose reel to extinguish the flames and then posed for pictures with the happy couple.

"The firefighters were brilliant. They waved at us during the ceremony and posed with us for a picture but we didn't let them get too close as we were in white and they were so smoggy," said Ali. "My niece, who adores Fireman Sam, was watching the programme as the firefighters arrived outside the hotel. I thought: 'You can't make this up.'

"We didn't run late because of the fire. The guests were held up at the bar for a bit, but I don't think any of them were particularly sorry about that.

"The staff were absolutely brilliant. I couldn't speak more highly of them. They just dealt with it," she added.

After 21 years together, Angie, 63, and Ali, 44, decided to tie the knot, and it was important to them to have the wedding in the Lake District.

"We decided it was time to get married. Angie is a keeper," Ali said. "The Langdale Chase just fit the bill perfectly with its beautiful location."

The Langdale Chase hosts approximately 120 weddings a year but it is the first time one has been interrupted by a fire.

Andrew Tighe, manager at the Langdale Chase, said: "A fire is the last thing you want on your wedding day. This is the first time something like this has happened, and the last. We are glad they had their happy ending to a stressful day."

The couple, who are both primary school teachers, have taken up the married name Faulkner-Luke, and are already looking forward to returning to the hotel.

"We are looking forward coming back really soon," said Ali. "Maybe we can hitch a lift with the fire engine the next time!"