A Wiltshire school has come up with a special way of thanking National Health Service workers for their devotion to duty during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Warminster School has launched a competition offering one lucky couple the chance to get married within its grounds in 2021.

They could win a wedding package worth up to £6,000 including the venue hire, wedding films and photography.

Headmaster Matt Williams said: “With so many big events and celebrations cancelled and postponed over these last months, we feel one way we can help is to share our stunning location for one lucky couple tying the knot in 2021.

"Our brilliant Weddings & Events Team were keen to assist with providing the perfect backdrop for that special day for one local couple working in the NHS.”

The school says 2021 is set to be a big year for weddings, not only in Wiltshire but the whole of the UK, because hundreds of couples who were planning to tie the knot this year have been forced to delay their special day to 2021.

Founded in 1707, the splendid buildings of Warminster School, set in acres of stunning grounds in the Wiltshire countryside, offer a picturesque and unique venue for a wedding.

The school's 18th Century chapel is surrounded by sweeping lawns and magnificent Georgian architecture.

The school's website says: "It provides an exceptional location for a religious ceremony or marriage blessing, whilst civil marriages and partnership ceremonies can be conducted in one of our three impressive licensed rooms. "Our talented in-house catering team can provide anything from an elaborate wedding breakfast, a delicious afternoon tea or simply your favourite dish."

Mr Williams added: "It appears lockdown may have prompted a few more people to take the plunge and we now have even more newly- engaged couples to add to the mix.

"For one lucky local couple with one or both working in the NHS, Warminster Events & Weddings will be gifting venue hire, a stunning wedding film courtesy of Wedding Balloon Films and beautiful wedding photography from local firm David Wiltshire Photography.

"It's our way of saying a big thank you to NHS workers and the Warminster community that we are so proud to be a part of.

“Saying we are all grateful to NHS workers for the phenomenal work they do just wasn’t quite enough for our Weddings & Events Team."We hope our wedding competition will celebrate and thank valued local NHS staff and we encourage couples to enter or nominate a couple you know to win.”

If you, or someone you know, is planning their wedding next year, contact Warminster School for an entry form to see how to qualify and enter the draw for the prize. Terms and conditions apply.

To obtain an entry form, email events@warminsterschool.org.uk, or more details go to www.warminsterschool.org.uk/welcome/eventsweddings

Entry forms should be sent before 5pm on Friday July 10.