Actress Helen Mirren was married in a Highland village church yesterday - and invited all the villagers to the ceremony.

The Emmy award-winning actress, of Prime Suspect fame, became Mrs Taylor Hackford.

But before the ceremony at Ardersier Parish Church began, the Rev Alex Whiteford announced to the guests and villagers that it was film director Mr Hackford's birthday and asked them to join in in a rousing chorus of ''Happy Birthday''.

The congregation also prayed for the couple's happiness and prosperity in the tiny, simple church in the main street of the village, near Inverness.

It was the biggest day for years in Ardersier, (population 1500) when Hollywood came to town.

The wedding was supposed to be a secret, but Ms Mirren gave the game away by ordering flowers locally a couple of days ago.

The happy couple had been staying with friends in nearby Castle Stuart, and six weeks ago contacted the minister to make the wedding arrangements.

It is believed they had been at the hush-hush wedding of Scots actor Robert Carlyle at Skibo Castle on Sunday.

Yesterday, Helen kept her husband waiting for 10 minutes before emerging from a dark-coloured Jaguar radiant in a gold and cream brocade jacket and full length silk skirt.

The couple broke with convention when the minister said that they could have the customary kiss. A smiling Ms Mirren kissed her bearded, kilted husband twice.

Then came the only hiccup of the day.

Mr Whiteford announced: ''This is now the time to sign the marriage schedule, but the marriage schedule has been left at Castle Stuart, so we will have to sign it there.''

Ms Mirren was given away by her nephew, Simon Mirren. Mr Hackford's son Rio was best man.

Comedian Mel Smith was a guest at the wedding.

Mr Whiteford said: ''It is a joyous occasion.

''I don't really know why they decided to marry here. It may have been because of the church's proximity to Castle Stuart.

''But it may also be the fact that Taylor has ancestors from this part of the world''.

When Ms Mirren arrived at the church, she told the 100 onlookers: ''You are all welcome to come inside.''

And unlike traditional prim and proper Church of Scotland services, the congregation burst into applause after the rings were exchanged.

Mr Whiteford said: ''It is a great honour to have Helen and Taylor married here.

''It is not every day you get a film star in Ardersier.''

Ms Mirren has appeared in many modern and classical stage roles.

Her Shakespearean roles include Lady Macbeth and Isabella in Measure for Measure.

Her films include The Long Good Friday in 1981 and Cal in 1984.

Recently, she shot back into the limelight with her portrayal of feisty cop Jane Tennison in the Lynda La Plante drama series, Prime Suspect, first shown on TV in 1990.

The series proved such a success that two other sequels have subsequently been screened.

Last month the actress appeared in the BBC drama Painted Lady in which she starred as a fading 60s blues singer who becomes involved in a high-society art scam.