AN EAST Ayrshire man who is terminally ill was able to marry his partner of 40 years thanks to kind-hearted registrars – who married the couple in their garden.

A team of council registrars allowed the couple to say 'I do' this week - despite most weddings being cancelled due to the coronavirus.

The couple from East Ayrshire wanted to tie the knot while they still had time.

They called the office to ask if a marriage ceremony would be possible on the same day, with the grooms nurses advising that the man couldn’t hold on much longer.

The registrar team led by Cathy Dunlop carried out the service from the groom’s garden through an open window, after they were given the green light from the National Records of Scotland. 

An emotional ceremony took place on the same day, leaving registrars 'in tears' that there were able to fulfill the couples dream. 

Cathy said: “It was a really beautiful moment. The groom’s nurses and carers were present and they filmed the ceremony for the family.

“I conducted the ceremony from the garden through an open window and neighbours stood in their gardens, witnessing the marriage. When we had finished they clapped so loudly, the noise was incredible, like a Thursday evening when we all clap for the NHS.

“My colleague Marie had attended for support and when we both got back to the car, we broke down. It was an honour to provide a service and some comfort to such a lovely couple and their family.”