SCHOOL teacher Karen Parkes will certainly have a fairytale wedding next month when she ties the knot with her fiance Gareth Entwistle.

But it certainly won't be a wedding of the traditional variety for the Higher Trapp Hotel in Simonstone. It will be one unlike any before it.

For this wedding, themed around children's story books, will bring together all that is magical and make believe.

Unlike most brides, Karen won't be having a first dance, instead she'll be having a first bounce on the bouncy castle, that will be set up in the hotel gardens.

Alongside this will be a selection of giant board games including Jenga and snakes and ladders, and even a magician. The couple are also planning to order a selection of giant candy bars and lollipops to decorate the grounds.

The wedding favours for the guests are all Willy Wonka bars, four of which will contain a golden ticket, informing the lucky guest to go to the best man to claim a prize.

The wedding breakfast will feature dishes named after Roal Dahl characters and the cake will have a top tier complete with candy bars.

Every table will not be numbered but named after one of Roald Dahl's books.

Each table will also have corresponding figurines of the various book's characters set in goldfish bowls containing greenery and diamantes to make up the table centrepiece.

Karen, 26, who works at St Leonard's Primary School, Padiham, said: "I was working as a drama teacher when we first started planning the wedding 18 months ago.

"We were doing various Roald Dahl plays at the time and when I wanted to do something different to name the tables at the reception it seemed a good idea.

"Then it has just evolved from there as time has gone on.

"I get a bit carried away sometimes and Gareth has to remind me it's not a circus but our wedding day!

"The reason for all the activities is because we wanted the day to be about our guests as well and not just us.

"I've not spent lots of money on the perfect dress and we're not having wedding cars, so we've spent our budget on making it themed for everyone to enjoy."

Multicoloured balloons will be released after Gareth, 26, network manager at St Augustine's High School, Billington marries Karen on Friday, July 25, at the Higher Trapp.

And to complete the day there will be a collection for children's charity, The Roald Dahl Foundation.

Karen added: "We can't wait for our big day. The games certainly won't be just for the children. I plan on being first on the bouncy castle!"