A gold medal winning paralympic has chosen Ashbourne for his civil wedding ceremony this summer.

Lee Pearson

Lee Pearson, who has won a gold medal nine times representing British para-equestrianism, will tie-the-knot with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue employee Mark Latham at Ashbourne Town Hall on Saturday, August 7.

Speaking to the News Telegraph, this week, Lee said: "Mark's quiet and knowledgeable and I'm loud and not very knowledgeable so we complement each other very well.

"We've been together for a year, it's not that long but some people get married after two weeks." Pearson will be joined by around 90 guests in the town, before the couple head off to a reception at a farm in Basford Green.

Lee said: "He's allowing us to put up a big marquee and there will be music, food and alcohol and hopefully everyone will enjoy it." "Hopefully we will have a few surprise acts for the evening, it's not confirmed yet and as it's a surprise I couldn't possibly tell you who they are." The couple met in April last year, and their whirlwind romance turned in to an engagement when Mark popped the question at a barbecue.

Pearson, who lives in Cheddleton, has been made both an OBE and a CBE. He represented his country in Beijing, Sydney and Athens, with six world-championship and three European titles also under his belt. The multi-medalist hopes to take part in the London Olympics in 2012.

In 1980, Pearson came to the public attention when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher carried him up the 10 Downing Street staircase on the day he received a Children of Courage medal.

Pearson was born with Arthrogryposis, also known as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, which is a rare congenital disorder that is characterised by multiple joint contractures.

Ashbourne's mayor Caroline Cooper welcomed the news and said it would be good for the town to have an Olympic hero exchanging vows here.

She said: "That's tremendous news that he is getting married in Ashbourne. What an honour."

(Harry Gottschalk)

(The End)