THE mother of a bride has thanked East Lothian residents for saving her daughter’s wedding by helping reunite her with her beloved pet just hours before she walked down the aisle.

Kellyanne Barr and Craig Beattie’s wedding hung in the balance after seven-year-old dog Stella disappeared from the wedding venue on the eve of the big event.

As guests and staff at Dunglass Estate, east of Dunbar, searched for husky Stella (pictured below), a social media appeal was launched on Facebook page Dunbar Online.

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And less than two hours before Kellyanne was due to walk down the aisle, she was reunited with her pet.

Stella had been struck by a car on the A1 and was taken in by a nearby resident as the SSPCA were called and the dog was taken to a local vet.

Kellyanne’s mum Tracy said: “I cannot thank everyone enough for their help reuniting Kellyanne with Stella. It really was a case of no Stella, no wedding.

“Wherever Kellyanne goes Stella goes and she was just devasted by her disappearance.”

Stella had been due to join Kellyanne’s fiance Craig at the altar as the couple said their vows last Saturday. But as Craig relaxed in the grounds of the estate last Friday evening with a game of football, Stella disappeared into nearby woods.

Tracy said that everyone helped look for Stella but, as the hours ticked by, it looked as though the wedding would have to be cancelled.

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She said: “Stella was due to be a part of the wedding party, bows had been ordered and she was to stand by Craig.

“The disappearance was also devastating for Kellyanne’s son Mark, who is six and treats Stella as his big sister and best pal.”

Shortly after 11am, news that Stella had been taken in by a local woman after being injured came through after people on social media reported she had been clipped by a car on the A1.

She was checked over by a vet and found to have escaped serious injury.

Tracy said: “Kellyanne had the chance to see Stella (see image below) before she changed into her wedding dress and reassured herself she was OK before walking down the aisle.

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“We can’t thank everyone who got involved and helped enough. Kellyanne delivered some of her wedding flowers to the house of the woman who looked after Stella when she was found as a thank you. It really saved the wedding and gave us a happy ending after all.”

Stella is now staying with Tracy and her husband Ian in Bonnyrigg, where the family are from, while dental nurse Kellyanne, 31, and Craig head off to Mexico for their honeymoon.

Tracy said: “Stella is recovering well and enjoying being pampered. We are glad she is safe and grateful to everyone for their support.”