HIGHLAND cows were the stars of the show as young farmers swapped heels for wellies to walk down the aisle.

Lee Johnson, a labourer at CJP Building Contractors, and Rosie Rickerby, a butcher in Morrison's, first met at Young Farmers two years ago.

Mrs Johnson said: "I had no one to go with on the club's Car Treasure Hunt so I cheekily asked Lee if I could go in his pickup with him so I would be able to go and we've rarely been apart ever since.

"Lee came to stay at my flat in Kendal with a little overnight bag every night for a good 10 months before we bought his parent's house from them in Levens and moved in together properly in November 2020."

The pair, who together with Lee's parents run a small holding where they breed Pedigree Blue Faced Leicesters, got engaged on May 12 last year on Mrs Johnson's 26th birthday.

She said: "It was at Helsington Church overlooking the Lyth Valley. Even though I had an idea it might be coming I was still taken aback in shock and my first word's were 'are you sure?' He did good and got me an engagement ring that is Blue Topaz to match my Ragdoll cat Stilton's eye colour."

The smitten couple got married on Saturday September 4 at St Mary's Church in Crosthwaite in front of 60 people followed by a larger evening reception at Mint Bridge Rugby Club where 170 people joined the pair on their big day.

"We had the most amazing day from start to finish," Mrs Johnson said.

"Lee's mum had decorated all the church and done all the floristry for us which was beautiful.

"I had planned the whole wedding breakfast and reception at Mint Bridge Rugby Club setting the room up on the Friday before and it looked amazing.

"As I'm a butcher I provided all the meat for the meal we had roast topside with all the trimmings for the main which was delicious and not one bit chewy.

"The highlights of the day for us both has definitely got to be our good friend Tim Horsfall bringing his Highland cows to be in our professional photos done by Kolette Cartmel Photography.

"They were so well-behaved and we got the best photos with them which was super special.

"Everyone commented on my choice of footwear of white wellington boots!The best highlight for Lee was the members of Crook Young Farmers coming to do the Guard of Honour as we came out the church."

The couple enjoyed a mini moon around Scotland and are planning on embarking on a honeymoon abroad on their first wedding anniversary.