“The instant attraction hit us both like a frying pan in the face.”

With Valentine’s Day coming up, we thought we would share a unique love story that involved one of our bus drivers catching the no.21 on her wedding day!

Chester-le-Street bus driver, Sue Lowes, credits her job with meeting the love of her life and stunned passengers when she and her wedding party hopped on the Angel bus to go to her wedding reception.

Sue met her husband Andrew three years ago when her vehicle broke down at Durham bus station. Andrew was working as a security guard and made her a cup of coffee to help her get warmed-up.

Sue had been single for ten years before that fateful day. She said: “The instant attraction hit us both like a frying pan in the face. I never even hoped or dreamt I’d meet someone like Andrew.”

After having to cancel their wedding five times for various reasons, the couple finally tied the knot at Gateshead Registry Office.

They wanted to do something totally different on their big day and because they had met thanks to Sue’s job, they decided that the day had to include a bus ride so they told wedding guests to bring their bus passes.

Sue said: “When we came out of the Civic Centre and I said right let’s go to the Interchange they all thought I was joking. The faces of the people on the bus were fantastic, we had such a laugh, it was a scream - the whole day.”

Sue, Andrew and their 10 guests got off at Eldon Square bus station and went to Mark Toney’s for an ice cream wedding breakfast. Sue adds: “My dad used to take me to Mark Toney’s as a kid so that’s why we decided to do that.”

Still in their wedding attire, the couple then visited Andrew’s mum in hospital and Sue’s horse, Basil, at a farm in Sacriston. On the evening they went to a fancy dress party as Dracula and Dracula’s bride before staying overnight at Beamish Hall Hotel.

Andrew said: “The whole day was perfect, we had a brilliant time.”

Head of Marketing and Retail at Go North East, Stephen King, said: “We were flattered that Sue wanted Go North East to be part of her big day – she loves her job as a bus driver and it shows, she’s really popular with customers.”