A tragedy-stricken youth worker who was swept off her feet by a local plumber tied the knot on Saturday and announced some exciting news- she is expecting a baby.

Samantha Winter, 30, married Darryl Short, 25, at Morden Hall on a glorious sunny day before holding a sumptuous reception at the Antoinette Hotel in Wimbledon.

The bride, who lost her previous partner to a traffic accident and was pronounced infertile after an ectopic pregnancy, is three months pregnant after saving for IVF treatment.

The wedding was laid on for free by the Antoinette after the pair won a battle of the brides competition run by this website.

She said: “We’re so excited, it’s what I’ve always wanted.

"It’s all happening for me after all the tragedy I’ve had. My daughter Keleis is really looking forward to it.”

Samantha, who was dubbed south London’s Cinderella, met Darryl in the Nelson Arms in Merton High Street about two years ago.

Still devastated by the loss of her partner, she took it slowly, but the pair hit it off and Darryl became a favourite with eight-year-old daughter, Keleis.

On Saturday the pair, from Wimbledon, got hitched at Morden Hall before transporting their 125 guests in a London Routemaster bus to the hotel.

As well as a five-course meal, they were treated to a pink champagne fountain, a white chocolate fountain, a disco, a roulette table and a range of entertainment including Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra tributes.

But their happy news means a honeymoon is off the cards, so the couple will spend the bank holiday chilling out on the south coast instead.

Samantha said: “It was such a beautiful day, everything I imagined it would be.

"Keleis has been counting her sleeps down until the wedding day. She was so excited.

“Thank you for all the voters, who gave us the dream we wanted in life.”

Kathy Longbottom at the Antoinette added: “It was a real pleasure to host Darryl and Samantha’s first day together as a married couple.

"The wedding day was really magical and truly spectacular.

“I wish them all the best for the future and look forward to welcoming them back to the Antoinette Hotel, Wimbledon to celebrate their first anniversary.”