Britain's oldest bride weds

HORNSEA, England, April 30 (UPI) -- A 94-year-old woman has become Britain's oldest bride at a ceremony in Hornsea, England.

Bess Atkins, 94, wed Winston Barraclough, 86, at St. Nicholas Church, the same location as her first wedding in 1939, The Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

Atkins said Barraclough proposed in January on New Year's Day.

"I thought it was some medical problem and feared the worst," she said. "He said: 'Will you be my wife please. I would love to marry you.' I was totally shocked but I said yes, that would be lovely."

The couple said they met three years ago while Barraclough was volunteering as a driver for a local hospital. Atkins said Barraclough picked her up and stopped to buy her a box of chocolates during the 30-minute drive.

Atkins' first husband, Charles, died in 1968. Barraclough's first wife, Alma, died five years ago. Neither marriage resulted in any children.

"It was lovely to be married in the same church. When I walked up the aisle it brought back a lot of happy memories," Atkins said.