'The show must go on!': School sweethearts from south London tie the knot on video chat

Despite the coronavirus crisis slamming the door shut on weddings up and down the country, one couple said the show must go on.

School sweethearts Ben Jackson and Sophie Austin got engaged in August 2018 and 200 people were due to watch them tie the knot on Saturday, March 28.

But when lockdown made this impossible, they gathered all their friends and family and had the ceremony over Zoom video chat.

The loving couple live in Croydon and have been together for eight-and-a-half years after meeting in Sixth Form.

Miss Austin, 26, (soon-to-be Mrs Jackson) said:

The singer-actress said that she was unable to wear her planned wedding dress as it was at the shop which had closed for lockdown.> However, despite having to rearrange their big wedding - which has been moved to September - she said the video ceremony was incredibly special.

The couple said their vows and declared their love for each other in their living room before sharing some cake.>They were eagerly watched by up to 300 people over the internet, all safely socially distancing in their homes.>Mr Jackson, 25, who works at the University of Sussex, said the ceremony featured a "real mix" of attendees... in terms of what they were wearing.>He said that most people wore suits or dresses, but added:

The idea originally came from their pastor, who was not sure if the couple would go for it.

The soon-to-be Mr and Mrs Jackson still need to complete the legal process of tying the knot once lockdown lifts.