This is the teary moment a bride was reduced to tears as she married her terminally ill partner of 12 years who was told he has just months left to live.
Alan Birch, 37, was told he had three to nine months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of mouth cancer more than a year ago. The wedding was attended by 150 including their 7 children.
Their photographer John Hague was one of many people who offered their services for free. He said: ‘It was a lovely day. Everyone was upbeat, although it was also sad as Alan was so weak.’
Debbie smiles with her seven children
Alan’s condition meant 90 per cent of his tongue was removed and he had skin from his leg grafted to create a false one. He worked as a plasterer and led a healthy lifestyle before his terminal diagnosis.
Speaking about the decision to get married: ‘The kids were always asking us when we were going to get married, but the main reason is we don’t know how long Alan’s got.’