THE aisle may have been of the supermarket variety, but the wedding was just as white when a pair of York lovebirds became the first couple in Britain to tie the knot in a supermarket.

Checkout operator Jill Piggott and new-husband Pete Freeman, of New Earswick, shunned traditional wedding venues for the mezzanine at ASDA, in Monks Cross, after they fell in love over a tin of beans at the store last summer.

Bemused customers doing their weekly shop stopped in their tracks as Jill, 42, ascended the store's travelator wearing a strapless white dress and ASDA tiara, flanked by 11 bridesmaids.

It was the ringing of tills, rather than bells, that accompanied Saturday's ceremony, which was conducted by City of York head registrar,Robert Livsey.

Jill and Pete, who was also celebrating his 54th birthday and was dressed head to toe in clothes from ASDA fashion label George, were all smiles as they said their vows in front of about 100 guests and exchanged wedding rings - also bought from the store.

Following the ceremony, the new Mr and Mrs Freeman were led out of the store by a Highland Piper playing the ASDA advertising jingle, before heading to Huntington Sports Club for their reception.

Pete's sister, Joan Brukwicki, said she thought the pair were joking when they told her they were to marry at ASDA.

"It was really lovely," she said. "I've never been to a wedding like it."

The Monks Cross store is the first supermarket in Britain to be granted a license so couples can marry on the premises and is the only one in the UK where shoppers can register the birth of their child.

The ceremony was organised by ASDA events co-ordinator Maree Edgar, who said they would be considering hosting more weddings in the future following the success of the ceremony. "We wish them all the best," she said. "It has been fantastic and they are a really lovely couple."

Jill and Pete now plan to have their marriage blessed in church. Jill will return to work next week.

Updated: 10:32 Monday, March 01, 2004