PASSENGERS ON a public service bus rubbed their eyes in disbelief when an Angus bride hitched a lift to her wedding.

Resplendent in her dress and with her entourage following behind, Jill Beech climbed aboard the Strathtay vehicle outside her home at East Den Brae in Letham, to travel the 300 yards to her wedding venue on Saturday.

More than a year ago, Jill and groom Mike Stott began planning their big day and were pondering how to cover the short distance to the Letham Hotel at The Square.

“We came up with all the usual ways of getting there, such as the Rolls Royce and horse and carriage,” said Jill. “But I thought it was a waste of money to pay to go such a short way, so I said there and then that I’d just take the bus.

“I’d rather spend the money on something useful. People thought I was joking, but I was deadly serious.

“The bus goes past the house anyway and The Square is basically just a stop away. Mike thought it was a good idea because he would be paying for the car!”

Mike, who works in the oil industry in Libya, and Jill asked Strathtay if the bus would stop outside the house for the occasion. “They said they would be delighted to do it,” said Jill. “They’ve made our day.”

Mike and best man Graeme Wilson had to take Shanks’ Pony from Watson Street to The Square, piped along by Gordon Anderson.

Gordon then sprinted to meet the bridal party as they waited for the Arbroath-Forfar bus.

The couple’s six-year partnership started when they were living in Portugal. Mike popped the question on February 14 last year.