EXCITEMENT mounted as 16 nervous couples waited for a decision that would change their lives.

Finalists in our £7,000 dream wedding competition were invited to a bridal fair to hear the result.

After a champagne reception and fashion show, a hushed silence broke into rapturous applause as the winners were announced.

Widnes couple Amy Roberts, aged 22, and Michael Dutton, aged 26, of Barnes Road, Widnes, were astonished when their names were read out.

Amy said: “We can’t believe it. It’s incredible. It means the world to us.”

Michael, added: “It’s absolutely brilliant. It will make us a little family.”

Courageous mum Amy made the ultimate sacrifice.

She risked her life to have a baby, a year after discovering she had a hole in her heart.

Specialists warned her she only had a 50:50 chance of survival.

Their precious daughter, Tula, was born six weeks early and taken to a special care baby unit.

Amy was whisked into intensive care in Sheffield as consultants monitored her heart. Michael travelled 100 miles every day to visit them both in different hospitals as he was working away in Birmingham.

He was recently made redundant and feared they might never be able to afford a wedding.

Amy said: “It’s been an absolute rollercoaster. We have endured so much stress and anxiety over the past two years.

“It means everything to us to get married.”

Michael, an electrician, said: “I start a new job today so everything is finally coming together for us. We are so excited.”