Surprise! Key worker couple from Norfolk stunned by free wedding win

- Watch a full report from ITV News Anglia's Rob Setchell.

It's not an easy time to be planning a wedding and for Richard Lovett and Elysa Varvel it's been ever tougher. He's a firefighter and she's a nurse.

Both caught coronavirus in April and, after a difficult few months serving the community on the frontline in Norfolk, they were planning a small "DIY wedding" next year.

But this morning (July 27) that all changed. When they arrived at Carrow Fire Station, they thought they were entering a competition to win a wedding. In fact, they'd already won it.

It's after more than 30 wedding suppliers offered their services for free to provide one deserving couple with their dream wedding, worth almost £30,000. Everything from the venue and decorations to the cake and the music is included.

The couple were announced as the winners in front of their family and the group of suppliers who'd gathered to surprise them.

"I didn't understand what was going on for a second. It took me a few moments to register what was happening," said Richard.

Amelia Hacking, from photo booth firm Capture Lounge, co-ordinated the competition and said the presentation was an emotional moment.

"It was so fun," she said. "I can't really explain it. It feels like you're giving back to someone and you're seeing it in front of your eyes. It's just a spectacular moment. I did shed a few tears but it was so good to watch."

Elysa, who works as a nurse at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and is pregnant with the couple's second child, said the giveaway was overwhelming and "lovely.

The wedding will take place in May next year.