CHILDHOOD sweethearts who grew up just three doors apart have said ‘I do’ in an intimate Lake District wedding.

Kirsty Barlow, 35, a deputy nursery manager, has married Paul Walsh, 35, a principal engineer, in a ceremony in Bowness.

The pair, who both live in Wigan, first met as children and grew up just three doors apart on the same street.

The two would always play together and their friendship developed into something more when they became teens.

Kirsty said: “We met as children as we lived in the same street three doors apart.

“We would always play in the street together on our bikes, ball games and just generally hanging around with each other and our friendship just naturally developed when we were 15 and we became more than friends.

“We just clicked with each other, liked the same things and couldn't bear to be apart and we've never looked back!.”

The smitten pair went on to have two children and decided to marry when they felt the time was right after two decades together.

“We never really got engaged as such,” Kirsty said.

“After being together for 20 years and having two children aged seven and three, we both just decided to get married as we felt it was time.”

The pair said ‘I do’ at the Belsfield Hotel in Bowness on Sunday June 5 in front of just 28 of their nearest and dearest.

Kirsty said: “We wanted a small and intimate wedding with just the people that we see and speak to on a weekly basis.

“We decided to get married after Covid so it didn't affect us and we wanted a smaller wedding just with our nearest and dearest.

“It was a cloudy day but lovely all the same with the beautiful lake view from the Belsfield.

“The whole day was just amazing but the firework finale made our day!

“There was a beautiful red sunset with the fireworks going off to three of our favourite songs; Florence and the Machine ‘You've Got the Love’, Coldplay ‘My Universe’ and finishing with Loren Allreds ‘Never Enough’.

“This was a surprise for our guests and it totally made everybody's day. The perfect ending to a perfect day.

"Our first dance was to Queen ‘You’re My Best Friend’, the food was beautiful, speeches were lovely.

“We also had Classic Ensembles playing for some of our ceremony and at our drinks reception and then we had a fantastic sax player in the evening playing alongside our DJ and wedding host who was also fantastic.”

The newlyweds are planning on jetting off to Rhodes in July for their honeymoon alongside their two daughters.

All photography featured in the article is by Jaye-Peg Photography. To get in touch visit www.jayepeg.co.uk