Organisers of a special wedding ceremony for a much-loved bride with cancer have thanked the community for its overwhelming kindness and support.

North Cerney mum Emma Drew, 45, passed away just hours after her Valentine’s Day wedding with Daniel Smith at their home on Friday.

She was a loved member of the community and a cleaner at North Cerney Primary School and Rendcomb College.

A beautiful bedside wedding ceremony was held for the couple.

A friend of Emma’s said: “The smile on her face throughout the ceremony was absolutely beautiful, the love between them was undeniable.”

The planned wedding reception at North Cerney Village Hall went ahead on Saturday to celebrate Emma’s life.

The wedding which was due to take place on Saturday 15 at Daglingworth Village Church, and previously February 29, had to be brought forward after Emma’s condition deteriorated suddenly.

Friends and organisers of the wedding said the kindness and support shown by people to make the wedding happen was ‘just incredible’.

With the wedding originally arranged for the end of the month, friends and family had less than three weeks to organise Emma’s dream day, hastily moving the plans forward.

After a call to arms was put out to the Cirencester community, they were inundated with offers.

Within days they had a wedding dress, hall, wedding cars, florist, cake, wedding rings, a photographer and videographer, and a venue dresser, all gifted free of charge.

A friend of Emma’s said: “People were just so amazing, Emma’s story touched everyone’s hearts, and it really did bring the whole community together.

“The kindness of so many people has been completely overwhelming.”

Last Wednesday, just days before the wedding, Emma had the experience of a lifetime with a helicopter ride through the charity Fly2help and their Air Smiles Days at Gloucestershire Airport in Staverton.

The day, which was aired on BBC Points West later that evening, gave Emma and her family a day full of smiles and memories.

Each Air Smiles Day is documented photographically so that they can create a photobook for each family, group or school.

A friend of Emma’s added: “Dan and her family will always have those memories to treasure.”

Rendcomb College’s Bursar, Eleanor Sharman added: “I think I speak for everyone at Rendcomb College when I say that we are truly saddened to hear of Emma’s passing.

"She was a much loved and long standing member of our community and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.”