A DREAM came true for an animal-loving couple when they were married at London Zoo. Denise Williams, 28, and Leigh Buckland, 27, of Union Road, Bromley, tied the knot in the Regent's Park zoo on Friday surrounded by an animal congregation.

Their dream wedding was made complete with a special guest appearance by a five-month-old baby sloth bear, the first of its kind born in captivity. The happy couple won a national competition run by a bridal magazine to win the £14,000 wedding. Leigh, a carpenter, said: "I was totally gobsmacked when I found out we'd won.

"I was at work and didn't know what to do with myself. I had to sit down for half an hour and then went down the pub. I have never had such an incredible feeling in all my life."

The newly-weds said a zoo was the natural place for them to wed as they have always been animal lovers and have two cats - Whisky and Honey. Denise, a legal- biller, said: "Our friends think it's great and say it suits us down to the ground.

"We wanted a wedding at the zoo originally, but couldn't afford it. Now we have a dream day with all our friends and relatives."

The couple could not cage the animal attraction between them when they met nine years ago at the Downham Tavern nightclub. Leigh, an ex-pupil of Ravens Wood School in Keston, said: "Denise made the first move. I suppose it was love at first sight in a way. I knew within six months I wanted to marry her."

Mr Buckland said he and his wife hoped to adopt a bear at the zoo one day. He said: "We want to give something back to the zoo. It would be great to adopt a baby sloth."

Mr and Mrs Buckland are heading to Italy on a two-week honeymoon this week.

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