Straw bale bride and groom at Elkington farmer's wedding

James and Francesca Leaning were far from baleful about the straw creations

A giant bride and groom sculpture made from straw bales took pride of place at a farmer's country wedding.

James Leaning and Francesca Page posed by the bales at the bride's family farm in Elkington, Northamptonshire, where their reception was held.

The bride's brother Chris Page and a friend created the models using plastic wrapping, with a tyre and bucket for the top hat and curtains for the veil.

Newlyweds Mr and Mrs Leaning are currently on honeymoon in Majorca.

It took Mr Page and friend John Hutchinson about three hours to construct and decorate the straw couple.

The bride and groom left the church under an arch of pitchforks

He said "lots of people really liked it on the day", and a photograph of the couple posing with the model was posted on Facebook by Farmer's Weekly.

Mrs Leaning said the picture had gone viral since being posted which had been "brilliant".

She said: "I didn't really know anything about it. My brother and dad suggested it, and my brother and his friend built it.

"We met in Young Farmers so it was quite appropriate."

Mrs Leaning added their wedding day had been "incredible".

Wedding photographer Steve Brill told the BBC: "You see all sorts of things at young farmers' weddings, but this was very novel."

Farmer James Leaning got married to vet physiotherapist Francesca Page