CARING businesses in Bury have teamed up to make a wedding day dream come true for one of the town's Kosovo refugees.

On Monday afternoon, in a simple ceremony at Bury Register Office, teenager Antigona Gashi will marry student Avni Latifi, three years after the sweethearts were separated by the war in their Balkan homeland.

And the celebration will be very much a community affair with local firms volunteering their services after being approached by the Bury Times.

"Operation Wedded Bliss" has been co-ordinated by BT reporter Terry Morgan and advertising executive Julie Wheeler.

The wedding dress, flowers, chauffeur-driven cars, the cake and a reception for 50 people at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich have been provided free for the couple who will also enjoy a brief "honeymoon" in the bridal suite at the Bolholt Country Park Hotel.

Julie said: "The young couple's story is a romantic one. They have been separated due to the war in the Balkans and were reunited after Antigona arrived in Bury from a refugee camp in Macedonia. "Avni is studying in Germany and flew to Bury to be reunited with his fiancee. They decided to get married straight away so that they could be together. The Bury Times was glad to help."

Avni and Antigona met three years ago in the capital of Kosovo, Pristina, and have remained in touch by telephone throughout the war, including during Antigona's stay in a refugee camp in Macedonia. She and her family were forced by Serb military to flee their village of Hajvali.

Speaking through an interpreter, Avni said: "I was in Germany while the Serbs destroyed my country. I really feared for Antigona and was overjoyed when I learned that she was safe and well in Bury. I couldn't wait to get over to be with her. We decided to move forward our wedding day so that we could be together for life."

Antigona (19), a student before the war, said: "I cannot thank the Bury Times and businesses enough. This is a dream come true for us. We would have been happy to get married in a simple ceremony but everyone has worked miracles to make our day extra special.

"We will never forget what Bury has done for us."

Avni will fly back to Germany on Tuesday to carry on his studies and work part-time to help pay for a home for his new bride.

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