AN English couple have decided to be married underwater and on top of an old wartime wreck off Benderloch near Oban.

In what is believed to be the first wedding held beneath the sea off Scotland, Mr Edward Benson, 29, and his fiancee, Ms Wendy Disberry, 30, will tie the knot on the Breda lying in Ardmucknish Bay.

Two witnesses will join them in the ceremony, which will be conducted by Captain Alexander Kerr, of the Salvation Army.

The couple, who come from Hayfield in Derbyshire, chose the site because they first dived together on the Breda last autumn. The munitions ship sank in about 30ft of water in the bay during the Second World War.

``I have been diving for more than 10 years and Wendy has been diving for about three years. We met through diving and dived together on the Breda last September,'' said Mr Benson yesterday.

The couple will sign the register on the support vessel to which the underwater ceremony will be relayed by a special speaker system.

Instead of the traditional white wedding dress Ms Disberry will be looking her best in a black and purple drysuit.