More than a century of romance will come under one roof in a spectacular wedding dress exhibition starting today.
 The stunning collection has been put together by charity fundraiser Norma McAvoy. It includes 50 gowns from the prim and proper Victorian era, the flirty 30s, the swinging sixties and up-to-date modern designs. The collection provides a fascinating glimpse into the way bridal fashion has evolved over the decades - from simple, satin designs to gowns draped in lace and sparkles. Each dress featured in the display at St Columba's United Reformed Church in Northumberland Square, North Shields, is surrounded by photographs and memorabilia to recreate the magic of the day it was worn down the aisle. Every gown carries its own story, including a striking white embroidered dress worn by Cath Malcolm, of North Shields, in 1967 and again by her daughter, Helen in 1995.
 Widow Mrs McAvoy, 62, of North Shields, organised the Wedding Belles exhibition to raise money for the St Columba's Church Accessibility Fund. But the mother-of-one said she had never expected to get so much enjoyment out of the project. She said: "The dresses are just fantastic. You have the satin from the 30s and the lace from the 40s when people could buy it with clothing coupons, crêpe and brocade in the 50s and then in the 60s they started buying dresses from shops. "When I first come up with the idea I was only planning on featuring a dress from every decade, but it kept on growing and people kept coming along with their dresses. "I've loved every minute of it - it's right up my street. I adored organising it, because of all of the stories that come in with the dresses, the people I've met.
 "Now that it has all come together it is fabulous. "I've never seen the church look like this before - it's brilliant." Along with the exhibition, Mrs McAvoy will host a celebration of romance with a wedding reception at the church tomorrow night. The event has been designed to resemble a formal wedding reception with 150 guests and a buffet. There will also be a wedding cake to be cut by Audrey and John Stenhouse, of Tynemouth, who recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.
 A concert will be held in the church before the reception and a church service will be dedicated to weddings and relationships on Sunday. Mrs McAvoy initially aimed to raise £1,000 for St Columba's. But she has already hit £750 even before the exhibition has opened its doors. Mrs McAvoy said: "I never expected it would be so popular, but it just kept getting bigger and bigger. "The church is very important to me and I knew they would support me. "I have just had so much fun organising it that I am already planning another exhibition of christening gowns for next year." The exhibition will run from 10am until 4pm today and tomorrow. Entry costs £1 and refreshments are available. | 
Fashion
Gardening