GUESTS at a wedding in New Cumnock did a double-take when they saw the bride and groom arrive in a police car.

Soon to be newly-weds David and Stephanie Ritchie had been stranded at the roadside after they had car troubles en route to Lochside House Hotel, and were frantically trying to arrange a lift when a passing police patrol stopped to help.

Constable Lynsey Arthur quickly realised that, although it is traditional for a bride to arrive late for her wedding, this was an entirely different scenario as both her and the groom were in danger of not making it at all.

PC Arthur took charge of the situation, took the couple into custody — temporarily — and ushered them into the back seat of a patrol vehicle, normally reserved for a quite different class of passenger.

It is not known if a siren replaced wedding bells but the police operation was a success and the unconventional wedding car had saved the day — the most important one of the Paisley couple’s lives.

Back at Cumnock police office, PC Arthur said it had been a pleasure to help such a lovely couple.

She added: “They were so thankful I stopped and offered to transport them to the hotel. It wasn’t quite the transport they had hoped to arrive in but I managed to keep their spirits high and keep them happy and smiling all the way to their venue.

“It was a truly magical moment for me as a police officer to be able to assist at such a critical moment on their wedding day. It certainly had me smiling the entire day and I wish them all the best.” The new Mrs Ritchie posted her grateful thanks on a social network site, saying: “On behalf of my new husband and I, I’d just like to thank Lynsey from the bottom of our hearts. She totally saved the day for us as we were running really late and left by the side of the road — I think it was fate that she drove by at that moment.

“She is an absolute credit to Ayrshire police division and they should be proud. She was even kind enough to help me fix my dress after it had been crumpled up and pose for pictures. So thank you so much Lynsey, you made our day and we cannot thank you enough.” Wedding photographer Tracey McQuillan added: “It’s the first time I have ever had this happen at a wedding.

“The police officer was amazing — she delivered the couple safely to the wedding, posed for a quick photo and then got back in her car and went back to work. I hope it made her day as much as it made the bride and groom’s.”