A REDDITCH couple tied the knot in a Pagan ceremony on Saturday.

Andrew Marshall and Cally Workman were 'handfasted' in a stone circle at Worthy farm, the site of the Glastonbury festival.

They were given special permission by festival founder and organiser Michael Eavis.

The couple are members of the charity Festival Medical Services, providing medical support at such events.

Mr Marshall, the local representitive and council member of the Pagan Federation West Midlands, said handfasting was the term for a Pagan wedding.

He said the way the ceremony is conducted is very much up to the couple involved - it could range from jumping over a broom up to a full-blown formal ceremony - but a popular feature is the couple holding hands and a ribbon being used to bind their hands together.

After the ribbon is removed, they still hold hands because they choose to rather than due to the restraint of the ribbon.

The handfasting saw 20 "knights" from a 14th century re-enactment group in full battle armour escort the happy couple in a procession to the stone circle and make an archway with swords in salute.

Guests threw birdseed instead of confetti or rice to do their bit for nature, followed by a picnic, games and recital and then a disco at a nearby hotel.

The pair, a "mixed faith" couple, will exchange their vows all over again at a Christian wedding at St Peter's Church, Ipsley, this weekend.