WEDDING bells rang out at St Richard's Hospice when RAF sweethearts Dawn Berry and Robert Carter tied the knot.

Yesterday's ceremony, conducted in the hospice's Sacred Space at its new centre in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, was the first wedding for the charity, which cares for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

The new Mrs Carter, aged 35, has a brain tumour and is being cared for by specialist staff in the hospice's in-patient unit where Mr Carter proposed to her last week.

He said: "Dawn is really bubbly and has a fantastic sense of humour - she's just gorgeous. We had planned to get married in the future, but events have overtaken us. It's something we both wanted and it's been a big boost for Dawn in the last few days."

The couple who live in St John's, Worcester, met six years ago when they were both based at RAF Lyneham, in Wiltshire - Miss Berry was a nurse and Mr Carter a flight engineer on Hercules aircraft.

"After she was first diagnosed, Dawn left the RAF and started a midwifery degree but had to stop halfway through and have the tumour removed," said Mr Carter.

"Four months later, she went back to study and graduated in 2003. "

For a while Miss Berry commuted to a hospital in Bath several times a week, working as a midwife, while Mr Carter still works at RAF Lyneham.

But 18 months ago, the tumour returned and Miss Berry - a sportswoman who enjoyed windsurfing, swimming and sailing - has become increasingly ill.

Miss Berry's chief bridesmaid Elaine McCarthy, head of human resources at County Hall, picked out the bride's wedding dress while the groom chose plain platinum wedding rings for both himself and his bride.

Mr Carter's son Andy, from a previous marriage, was best man and Elaine's six-year-old daughter, Evie, was also a bridesmaid. Family, friends and staff watched as the couple pledged their vows and had their marriage blessed by the hospice chaplain, The Rev David Knight.

Mr Carter was full of praise for the St Richard's staff. His wife has also received care at home from a specialist nurse over the last year and visited the hospice for regular reflexology sessions before being admitted to the in-patient unit.

"All the staff at St Richard's have been fantastic. They bring laughter into the place and have been wonderful looking after Dawn," said Mr Carter.

"They are very special people who work there and I would like to thank the staff for everything they have done."