Villagers stumped as all-star celebrity wedding takes over

Cricketer Kevin Pietersen has married singer Jessica Taylor in astar-studded wedding ceremony.

But residents of picturesque village Castle Combe were less thanbowled over by one of the celebrity weddings of the year.

England star Pietersen married the Liberty X singer in thevillage's parish church.

But as a host of stars of music and sport made their way to thevillage - best-known as the location for the Dr Dolittle film -local people found themselves confronted by bouncers and bypaparazzi.

Part of the lower village became a no-go area on Saturday.

Vice-chairman of the parish council Adrian Bishop said: "I thinkthis is the most hyped wedding that has taken place there.

"Access to the church was completely cut off to people who livehere.

"I understand several people wanted to lay flowers on graves butwere prevented from doing so by bouncers. It upset some people.

"There were lines and lines of paparazzi but I doubt if they gotanything, there was so much security there.

"No one bothered to tell us about the fireworks display, either."

At the pounds300-a-night, five-star Manor House Hotel, all 48rooms had been booked for the wedding

Flamboyant batsman Pietersen, 27, had tried to keep details ofhis wedding to Taylor, 27, a secret.

But news leaked out as teammates, including England captainMichael Vaughan, and celebrity friends began showing up.

Hair and make-up experts were on hand to ensure the bride, whoarrived at the church in a black Rolls-Royce, looked stunning.

One of the few locals who managed to catch a glimpse of her wasTina Seiler, 41, who said: "She was gorgeous. Her dress was abackless ivory silk chiffon design, tightly crunched at the frontwith sparkling beads hanging like icicles down the pleats."

After the 45-minute ceremony - which included the carol SilentNight - the bridal party and 200 guests walked to the hotel.

Pietersen had spent the night before enjoying a quiet meal withhis family and best man, England colleague Darren Gough, in aprivate room.

Other guests included England one-day captain Paul Collingwood,fast bowler Matthew Hoggard and veteran wicketkeeper Paul Nixon.