POLDARK fan Rebekah Smith was given the surprise of her life by her fiance, workmates and residents of the care home she manages.

Using all the guile of Cornish smugglers, they secretly organised a Poldark-themed ceremony at the home, ahead of her wedding to her intended, Mick Allan.

The Benfleet couple are both fans of the hit BBC TV drama, as are staff and residents at Admiral Court, in Manchester Drive, Leigh.

The ceremony featured invitations, flowers, food, and costumes, all inspired by the period drama.

Residents acted as bridesmaids and groomsmen and even surprised the bride-to-be – unaware of the theme until the big day – with an appropriate outfit.

Mick, 50, really looked the part, dressed as the dashing Captain Ross Poldark – played on TV by heartthob star Aidan Turner – while Rebekah, 47, was dressed as heroine Demelza Carne.

She said: “The theme was a complete and amazing surprise, as me and my fiance are fans of Poldark.

“We’re even going on our honeymoon to Cornwall near where it is filmed. The team and residents at Admiral Court are very close-knit, so it was lovely to include them in my wedding celebrations.”

Walking down the aisle to the Poldark theme, Rebekah was accompanied by matrons of honour Pat Hemmings 76, Irene Warner 87, Winnie Headley 90 and Flo Pamment 87.

She and Mick were presented with 18th-century-style vows best man Derek Handley, 94.

The mock wedding had been months in the planning and was attended by more than 60 guests Sarah Savidge, or organises events and activities at the home, said: “We started planning in December. We would always meet up in secret with the residents.

“We started reminiscing about the residents’ weddings, their dresses, locations and food and gradually, the residents started contributing ideas for Rebekah’s wedding.

“Invitations, flowers, dresses, wedding jewellery, vows, and food was either made by the residents or involved their input.

“I think it was incredibly therapeutic for them to get involved.”