by A NEWLYWED couple have turned the tables on tradition to keep a family name and part of hairdressing humour alive.

For when driver Kevin Durrant, 23, and hairdresser Helen Spray, 25, got married at picturesque Burnby Hall Gardens, in Pocklington, they dispensed with convention and became Mr and Mrs Spray.

Helen's semi-retired father, Monty, who has a barber shop at York Livestock Market, at Murton, is the last in the male line of Sprays, and so Kevin agreed to take his wife's surname to keep the name going.

Kevin, who works for A Plant Hire, at Clifton Moor, York, said: "My dad said there were hundreds of us Durrants all over the place so why not take the Spray name. The more I sat and thought about it, the more it seemed a good idea.

"I have also got a great respect for Helen's dad. I think he was chuffed to buttons that he has now got a son with the same name."

He said the couple, who live in Pocklington, had considered a double-barrelled surname but decided to keep things simple.

Helen, who owns The Cutting Rooms salon, in Heworth, said: "My surname goes well with the job and it has always been a bit of giggle with customers. You have to convince them you've not made it up. It would have been a shame to lose it."

Kevin is having to change his name by deed poll so his new name is officially recognised.

Updated: 10:35 Saturday, August 18, 2001