Britain’s worst floods since 1968 could not stop Surrey Comet assistant editor David Lindsell getting married to Claire-Marie Doran on February 1.

Some guests at the 34-year-old’s St Andrew’s Church Cobham wedding had to hastily move their vehicles during the service after rising waters filled the car park next to the River Mole.

Band members who had arrived earlier in the day had to wade ankle-deep to their cars.

But heating inside the 12th century church, damaged by flooding, was restored in time for the day.

The bride wore an ivory coloured dress for the Cobham service, conducted by the Rev Robert Jenkins, after banns had been read by All Saints Kingston Parish Church Rev Jonathan Wilkes in the weeks before.

The couple’s original wedding reception venue – the Burford Bridge Hotel at the foot of Box Hill – was deluged on Christmas Eve causing structural damage to the building and barn.

A tithe barn at Loseley Park, near Godalming and close to a small river, doubled up as a last-minute replacement for 120 guests including Surrey Comet editor David Rankin.

After the reception the couple left for a honeymoon in storm-hit Hope Cove in Devon.

Mr Lindsell said: “Seeing your reception venue sink beneath the waves was a gloomy way to start Christmas but despite the weather we had a wonderful day with fantastic support from friends and family to make a very special day.”

Ms Doran, 35, a teacher and daughter of Cobham couple Colm and Denise, and Mr Lindsell, son of Stuart and Jayne, also of Cobham, met after she returned from sunny Sydney.

The couple now live in a river road in Surbiton.