PIRATES descended on a West Dorset village for a wedding with a difference after a couple fell hook line and sinker for one another.

Kirsty and Alex Horn, from Yeovil, met at college while they were studying for their A Levels and on the day of their wedding, Saturday July 18, had been together seven years.

Kirsty, 24, was studying performing arts and Alex was studying art.

The couple decided to marry in a family friend’s field in Tincleton and chose a pirate theme for themselves and their guests after a spur of the moment idea from Alex.

Kirsty uses a wheelchair or walking stick after becoming ill in 2011 but thanks to the help of Alex and her dad Douglas Horn, she was able to achieve her goal of walking down the aisle.

In December 2011 Kirsty suddenly suffered pains in her legs before being left unable to stand up at all.

She was taken to A&E and doctors originally believed Kirsty to be suffering from nerve compression.

Kirsty still has no official diagnosis for her condition but doctors now believe her to have functional somatic syndrome.

She said: “As a result of my condition I am now unable to work. My whole body shuts down and I am left paralysed; I also have non-epileptic fits.

“I was delighted that I achieved walking down the aisle, it’s been my dream since I became ill.”

Alex took his wife’s surname in a twist of tradition and the pair visited Weymouth Registry Office before the pirate themed event to officially confirm their marriage.

Kirsty added: “We had a brilliant wedding day and our 90 guests really got into the spirit of the event.

“Tincleton is a lovely and sleepy Dorset village and has beautiful scenery.

“Part of Alex’s pirate costume was made by the same costume designers who helped out on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.”