History was made in a Mid Suffolk community yesterday as a couple tied the knot on the village common.

Mellis Common, the largest grazing common in Suffolk, was the scene of love and happiness as the wedding of Frank Hill, 50, and Ester Deocampo, 40, landlord and lady of the Railway Tavern in the village took place on it.

It was the first time a wedding has taken place on the common.

Ahead of the wedding Mr Hill said: “It’s the first and maybe the last time!

“Initially I just wanted a small ceremony.

“Since the idea was planted more and more has gone into it and now it’s a huge event.”

Mr Hill, who moved to Mellis from London in 2001, said: “We’ve been in the pub for just over three years.

“Moving here is one of the best things I have ever done. I would never go back.

“We wanted our wedding to be in a nice setting and thought ‘Why not do it here?’”

The couple were able to get married on the common after asking the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

Miss Deocampo, who became Mrs Deocampo-Hill, said before the wedding she was nervous.

She added: “Because we wanted everyone to be involved we decided to have a big wedding.

“We have got the whole village supporting us, everybody has been looking forward to it.”

Although the couple formally tied the knot on Thursday in Stowmarket, Mrs Deocampo-Hill was given a blessing by her pastor for the ceremony.

As friends and family gathered in the marquee tent, Luther Vandross’ Dance With My Father and Adele’s Make You Feel My Love were played before Here Comes the Bride.

Mrs Deocampo-Hill was called a “wonderful, beautiful, lovely woman”, while Mr Hill was described as a “hunk of a man” during the ceremony, and as the newlyweds left to the Wannadies You and Me Song before releasing some doves.

After the wedding, the pair said it was perfect, with Mr Hill adding: “There were a few hiccups but that made it fun.”

Those at the wedding partied long into the night as The Muppits, a Suffolk band, played songs all evening, but there is no chance of a honeymoon at the moment, as they are both back behind the bar tomorrow, although they were heading up to Norwich for the night.

Mr Hill said: “I might be working with a hangover. I hope it’s busy, but not too busy!”