A BRIDE who lost her legs in a horrific accident on the way to her wedding in 2003 was finally married on Saturday.

Dawn Auty, 44, a former Huddersfield nurse, walked down the aisle on her artificial legs to marry Stephen Flood, 38.

It was a dream come true for the woman badly injured when her bridal gown became trapped in the drive shaft of a motorised tricycle as Mr Flood waited at the church 18 months ago.

Dawn's legs were so badly damaged as they were pulled into the wheels that doctors amputated them at the roadside to save her life.

Now fitted with prosthetic legs, Dawn married Mr Flood at Mount Methodist Church in Fleetwood, Lancashire.

The couple split up for a while after the accident, but Mr Flood, an IT technician, and his fiancée were reunited.

Mum-of-two Dawn, who used to live in Marsh and was a nurse at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for 20 years, said the thought of walking down the aisle in her white wedding dress had kept her going through her recovery and physiotherapy.

The couple live in a specially-adapted bungalow on the sea front in Fleetwood.

Dawn managed to walk down the aisle at the church supported by her son, Peter, 22, and sister Amanda, 37.

And she said: "All brides say it, but I really mean it. This has been the happiest day of my life.

"Standing beside Steve as we said our vows was an amazing feeling. I'm so proud to be his wife at last.

"It was the moment I'd been waiting for - and it was worth it. It was every bit as special as we'd hoped it would be".

Mr Flood said: "She's an amazing, inspiring woman and she's made me very happy.

"After all the heartache we've finally got the day we deserve."

Dawn was on her way to a Blackpool church for the original ceremony in November, 2003.

As Dawn fought to survive, Stephen was waiting for her with family and friends just yards away at the New Central Methodist Church.

After months of hospital treatment, Dawn was fitted with prosthetic legs and bravely learned to walk again.

On Saturday, she travelled to the church in a vintage car and then used a wheelchair to reach the doors of the building.

But she then managed that walk down the aisle to live out her dream.