A devoted Black Country couple have been forced to bring their wedding forward by six months after the bridegroom was diagnosed with a life-threatening cancer.

Christopher Simmons and Stephanie Collins, aged 31 and 34, will tie the knot in Coseley this Saturday. But their big day will be tinged with sadness as father-of-three Christopher has been given only a 10 per cent chance of beating bone cancer. Since the self-employed plasterer was diagnosed two months ago, the disease has spread to his liver and lungs.

He has been responding well to chemotherapy treatment and says he is confident of winning his battle.

But the couple feared he may not be well enough to hold the wedding in August, as originally planned, and decided to change the date.

They will marry at St Mary’s Church, in Hurst Hill, Coseley, and will hold an evening reception for 170 friends and family at the Village Hotel, Dudley.

The couple, who have three children – Callum, aged 12, Jack, aged 10, and three-year-old Oshen – said it would be a “happy but emotional” day.

Christopher, of Prioryfield Close, Hurst Hill, said: “It knocked me for six when the doctors first told me, but I am trying to stay positive because I have three children to think about.

“It all depends on how I respond to the chemotherapy, so far it is going well as I am putting on weight, but we will have to see.

“It was a risk moving the wedding as we didn’t know I how was going to react to the chemotherapy, but I am glad we did.”

Housewife Stephanie said they were determined to celebrate the occasion despite the sad circumstances.

“I think it is going to be an emotional day for everybody but we have had a lot of support from our family and friends.

“We are still excited, despite everything that has happened. It has been hard.

“Our youngest daughter doesn’t really understand but the two boys have taken it in their stride and they are looking forward to the wedding.”

Fortunately the couple were able to keep the same church and reception venue despite the change. Christopher’s best man will be his brother Pete, Callum and Jack the page boys, and Oshen a bridesmaid.