LAURA Clarke flew thousands of miles to tie the knot near her home town, Blackburn.

The 24-year-old, jetted in from Dubai, where she lives with her new Lebanese husband, Fady Berkan, 29.

The couple met in Dubai, where Fady runs a construction firm, when Laura visited the country as a stewardess for Emirates Airline.

She said: "I was determined to have a dream wedding in Lancashire, where I grew up and started my working life. Having a traditional English wedding was so impor-tant to me and I wanted Fady's family to come over to experience our culture and the way we live.

"My roots are still firmly placed here.

"I still come back two or three times a month to visit my family and friends, who I also wanted to be part of my big day."

The couple married at historic Hoghton Tower, which has entertained many famous guests including, George V, Queen Mary and William Shakespeare, before flying back to Dubai where they plan to live for the next ten years. She added: "Fady chose to follow English tradition and sought the permission of my dad.

"He proposed on New Year's Eve 2002 at the Kimberley Hotel in Blackpool."

The hotel is owned by her father, businessman, Peter Clarke, who recently opened the Heaven and Hell nightclub, on the old Utopia site in Blackburn.

Peter, 44, who still lives in a cottage in Belthorn, gave his eldest daughter away. Fady's family also travelled over from the Middle East and stayed at the hotel during the run up to the big day.

Although Laura and Fady have settled for a life in Dubai, which she describes as "laid back and slower paced", she says she would not have chosen anywhere else, other than Lancashire, to get married.

She said: "It was a beautiful day and extra special because Fady and his family could see what a lovely place I come from."