A DYING mum who brought her wedding forward after being given just months to live has tied the knot in a dream ceremony.

Carlie Gamble said her vows to Barry Riley at Lonsdale Road Methodist Church surrounded by 90 friends and family members.

But the day was tinged with sadness, as her son Daniel was refused permission to fly back to the UK from America, despite a benefactor donating a flight.

He moved to New York earlier in the year and is applying for a green card, making trips out of the country extremely difficult.

"Daniel being there would have been the cherry on the icing," said Carlie, 57, from Barnwood.

"Before we could not consider him coming over, but because of people's generosity and kindness the option was there.

"Then it was the green card issue that meant he could not come, but he can come to my funeral, which seems backwards.

"It's not like we didn't try."

The couple, who met four years ago planned to marry in October next year, but the wedding had to be brought forward a year after Carlie discovered she had rogue cell cancer.

Doctors have given her six to nine months to live.

Carlie and Barry chose a 1940s theme for their big day on Saturday and asked all the guests to come in fancy dress.

Intense

"People had awful hardship in the 40s, but everyone pulled together," explained Carlie.

"Everyone has supported me, so it seemed like a good theme."

The former nursery nurse arrived at the church in a red and cream Alvis car and guests sang All Things Bright and Beautiful, Sing Hosanna and This little Light of Mine.

It was a tearful moment as Carlie and Barry, 56, said their vows and promised to be with each other through sickness and health, for better or worse.

"We all started to well up because the next time there is a big event in the church will be my funeral," said Carlie.

"It was very intense."

Their reception at the Hallmark Hotel in Matson continued the 1940s theme, with bunting, Union Jacks and an air-raid style smoking shelter.

Guests sat at tables named after RAF bases in Gloucestershire and ate tomato soup, roast beef and apple pie.

There was a raffle, scratch cards and auction to raise money for Help for Heroes in memory of her youngest son Acting Lance Corporal Ben Gamble, who died in a road accident in December 2001, aged 24.

"I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made our day so special," she said.

"It was unbelievably fantastic, more amazing than you could ever believe.

"There is always a silver lining however dark the sky looks."

There will be no honeymoon for the couple, as Carlie re-starts her chemotherapy on Wednesday.