Couple who feared Selby Abbey wedding would be a wash-out tie the knot - dry

The couple had feared their wedding was in jeopardy of being washed-out due to rising flood waters, but yesterday they managed to tie the knot - and remain dry.

The newlyweds emerged from Selby Abbey on Monday just 100m from where people stood watching the River Ouse raging just inches under closed bridges in the town.

Mrs Nickson said she had a sleepless night watching flood reports, worrying if her guests would make it. But there was a full turnout for the service, which included the hymn Shine Jesus Shine and its line: “Flow, river, flow. Flood the nations with grace and mercy.”

Mrs Nickson said: “It was pretty stressful, certainly from last night when the river was getting really high in Selby. I was up all night on my phone checking the Environment Agency’s website.

“We thought it may flood but, luckily, we got the news at about four in the morning.”

She added: “It was not quite the night I expected. It’s been a whirlwind but I’ve loved it.”

The couple’s worries escalated on Sunday night when the wedding photographer found water lapping at his doorstep.

Water levels on the River Ouse running through Selby began to drop on Monday but a number of roads in the area remain closed.