So the historic house proved to be the perfect choice of venue for the wedding of Mark Steel and Libby Kato on Valentine's Day.

About 50 guests revelled in the romance of the occasion at the Dispatch district's premier tourist attraction.

Mark (37) sported top hat and tails for the event at the spectacular house, parts of which date back to the 13th century.

The couple decided to hold their special day there after seeing an open-air production of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing' in the grounds.

Engineer Mark, who commutes every day from the couple's home in Wilford to his workplace in Peterborough, said: "We wanted to do something a little different."

Libby (39) is a sociology lecturer at Castle College and New College Nottingham's Clarendon campus in the city.

The couple met five years ago at a concert at Rock City in Notitngham.

Staying true to the Byron link at the abbey, Mark's dad, Tony, wrote a celebratory poem for the occasion. Mark said: "I think he fancies himself as a bit of a Byron!"

After the wedding, the couple staged a reception at their home.
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