LEDBURY photographer, Dan Barker took it all in his stride when asked to photograph a friend's wedding, even though it was in Italy.

For Mr Barker, who has his studio at Bankside on the Little Marcle Road, it was not quite another day in the office but a long weekend in Bologna and his first commission overseas.

Mr Barker, who got to know the groom while they were work colleagues said: "Once upon a time, three years ago, there was an Italian boy in South America. He was running late for his bus. His forfeit for being late was to sing a song to the rest of the bus. His song was recognised by one passenger - a girl - who having spent several years living in Italy, was fluent in Italian. But she was now on her way home to Peru.

"Their common language got them talking and talking. Once they arrived at their destination, they continued talking, transfixed by one another. They sat on a bench and talked all through the night. By the morning, they knew they had to go their separate ways and may never see each other again."

Mr Barker said: "So my friend, the groom, Roberto Ventruti, took the bold step of proposing to Luz there and then. She said yes, of course.

"Exactly three years later, to the day, I had the honour of helping to tell the story of their wedding day in Bologna, in Italy."