WITNEY: Oxfordshire County Council has apologised after a wedding party was locked in the grounds at Witney Register Office.

The newly-weds and their family and friends were stuck in the Woodgreen car park for about an hour last Saturday.

The council said the registrar had forgotten to unlock the barrier after the ceremony.

A fire engine was called to the car park, before the registrar later returned.

Council spokesman Louise Mendonca said: “The council was absolutely mortified by this mistake and staff have apologised profusely to the bride and groom and refunded their ceremony fee. They also offered a gesture of goodwill payment.”