STAFF from a Newton Abbot horse charity galloped to the rescue when a couple were due to get married.

A couple were in a panic when the witnesses to their wedding at Teignbridge Registry Office were held up after their car broke down en route.

Zack Hazell and Hannah Mizen had just 25 minutes before they were due to tie the knot when the registrar suggested they ask for help at The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s Reuse and Recycle warehouse opposite, in Brunel Road, Newton Abbot.

Dawn Green, the charity’s retail operations manager, explained: ‘Zack and Hannah turned up in a bit of a panic, explaining what had happened.

‘We offered them a cuppa to calm their nerves, and they chatted with the team who were having a lunch break.

‘My colleague Simone and I were delighted to step in to be their witnesses, so their day could go ahead as planned. They’re such a lovely couple.’

Social media executive Hannah, and dog trainer Zack, who runs South West Assistance Dogs, drove from their home in Torrington to Newton Abbot and were due to wed at 12.30 when they received a frantic phone call from their stranded witnesses.

Zack said: ‘It was a heart stopping moment, prompting a speedy hunt to find replacements.

‘We cannot thank The Mare and Foal Sanctuary enough.

‘Our original witnesses were on the M3 for hours so we would have not been able to get married without Dawn and Simone, and the rest of the team.

‘Everybody was incredibly kind and our wedding day could not have been more perfect.’

Impromptu witness Simone Von-Ellson, who manages the Sanctuary’s Brixham charity shop, said: ‘It was a pleasure to be part of such a special occasion, and we wish Zack and Hannah all the happiness in their future together.

‘We’ve asked our Horse Care team to send us a ‘lucky’ horseshoe that we can give to them as a memento of their day.’